I do it myself.*

When I picked Noah up from daycare today, the woman who runs the daycare told me, "It's interesting...  In years and years of doing this, he's the only kid who doesn't really care about taking home all the art projects that he's worked on.  I've noticed that he's less interested in the ones that we help with.  He's so much more interested in the ones he works on on his own, so much more proud of them."

Shocking.  (Not really.)  

*Title is a reference to an early quote of my own, often quoted back to me by my mother throughout my life.

More Noah Pictures from October/November

As with videos, we've also been remiss in posting a lot of cute pictures from the last month.  Let's start with a few from Grandma Barbara's visit to Los Angeles (which just so happened to overlap with Halloween)...

Out for dinner at Palomino on Uncle Jordan's birthday (below).  Please excuse the bragging, but Noah behaved himself for a three-hour restaurant stay!

The next day, Noah was under the weather.  Mommy felt bad for him--but she enjoyed the cuddles!

Noah was a froggy for Halloween.  Carin gets points for the homemade costume.

These pictures were taken at the Halloween party at Noah's school.

 One tired froggy.

Points to Daddy for three awesome Jack-O-Lanterns.

Noah plays piano with Mommy.

Noah's cousin Jake came to visit from Tucson.  Here are a few pictures from the fun day we spent in Malibu with Jake, Bonnie, and Bu the dog (or as Noah called him "BooDoggy!  BooDoggy!").

Noah and Hayley

Noah plays with his friend Hayley.

(audio provided by their parents)

Noah Lately (October 4 - November 4)

We have a backlog of Noah videos from the past couple months, and I've finally had a chance to go through some of them.

First up is a compilation recent Noah footage.  Here, he visits with Grandma Toby, Grandpa Bob, and Grandma Barbara.  He engages in bouts of silliness, uses "Please" and "Thank You," and even shows off some dance moves.




This next video was too long to include as part of the compilation, so I thought I'd put it up on its own.  It starts off with a round of "If You're Happy and You Know It" and goes from there.  Nothing too noteworthy, but I think it's just some cute footage.  Enjoy.

Just this night...

...Noah said "Shabbat."  And "cannull" (candles)

...Noah ran around the house saying "Happy Noah!  Happy Noah!"

...we caught ourselves saying, "No, honey, you can't have any more brussels sprouts until you finish your turkey"...again.

...Noah ran to the bath as soon as he finished dinner (while we were still eating), shouting "Bah-time  Bah-time!"  (Bath time) ...and started trying to take his clothes off.

...While in bath, after having his privates soaped, Noah said, "More peeeze."  (More please)

...and as I type this, he's started running around speak-singing the song "Shabbat Shalom!"  Oh, boy, I'd better get the camera.

Oh yeah!

The latest news about Noah...

Our boy is saying many things that are giving us joy and cracking us up these days.  Carin and I are particularly fond of his "Oh yeah"s.  The ladies at his day care also find this funny.  We'll go to pick him up, and...

"Noah, do you want to go home?"

"Oh yeah!  Oh yeah!"

He's also become quite fond of the word "happy," which is such a nice word to hear.

He's gotten much better with his pleases ("Peeeez"), and he's starting to say thank you with more frequency ("Faaakoo").

There are tantrums, to be sure, but he's also learning (slowly) that these are things Mommy and Daddy don't like.  "Noah, do you need to take a break and calm down?" we'll ask, and we can see him trying to control his emotions.  It is hard for him sometimes, but it's so cute to watch him try.

Other things... He has a choo choo train on his dresser that is made up of four cars, each in the shape of a letter from his name, connected by magnets (plus engine and caboose).  He is always requesting to hold one of these train cars, and he is very deliberate as to which one he wants to hold at any given point.  Last night, he wanted the "N."

ME:  "You want the N? 

NOAH: "Oh yah."

ME: "This is the N.  N is for...?"

NOAH: "No-ah"

Yes, he's finally starting to say his name--yet another thing that makes us swoon.

And really..."Swooning" is the best word to describe what we do all the time.  It is like a constant state of being head over heels in love with this guy.  A mere word or glance from him, even just a thought of him, is enough to send us swooning like lovesick teenagers, "He's so dreamy, isn't he?"  It's like a high, a drug, this kid.  He's just as good as it gets.

Noah still eats in a high chair, but he's eager to experiment

Our ambitious little reader.

Bob and Toby in LA

Here are some photos from Grandma and Grandpa's recent visit.

Cuddling on the bed with Mommy and Daddy.

Shabbat dinner in the backyard.

At Rive Gauche.  Noah loves French food.  Must be genetic.

Noah at Six Flags

We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain today for Carin's annual company picnic, and we had a great time.  A few cute pictures are below, but, first, I thought I'd start with this little companion video for anyone who has seen Noah at the Drum Circle.  Here is Noah at Six Flags...



With Daddy at the fountain...

Flirting during lunch...

Here are a few more lunch pictures, taken during Noah's emotionally charged demolition of an ice cream sandwich.

Bedtime Story

Noah at the Drum Circle

I took Noah to a drum circle the other day.  It was fun, but I think this 7 second video speaks to what really interests Noah these days.

Quinoa + Peek-A-Boo + Triumph Fists

Noah likes to eat quinoa with his hands and make a mess.  A few days ago, he was eating quinoa and then started playing Peek-A-Boo, smearing the quinoa all over his face.  This was followed by some major triumph fists action and the picture below.

Noah has been doing triumph fists A LOT lately, and it has been cracking us up.  I think he knows he cracks us up with it and is making it a staple of his toddler stand-up routine.

First Day of School

Okay, technically it's just day care, but we are calling it "school," and, after 17 months at home with Daddy, Noah started there today.  Here are a few pictures...

About to enter.

At school, Jessica introduces Noah to Delilah the dog.

****ADDENDUM****

Noah's first week of school was a great success.  He is napping and eating well and seems to be having a good time.  His teachers have already remarked on his affectionate nature, obvious intelligence, large appetite, and fondness for buttons.

Here is a photo of Noah playing at home after his first day of school.
He was a bit tired.

Noah Lately

We have just been loving our little guy these last few months.  He's been too terrific for words--so good natured, talkative, fun, and downright hilarious.  This video will give you a glimpse into what he's been up to lately.  In this episode, Noah meets and greets in his new playhouse, makes triumph fists, reads a book with Mommy, and toasts L'Chayim.  Enjoy!

Recent Photos

Here is our guy at 16 and a half months.

Amanda recently visited us from New York.  Here she is with Noah and Carin.

Now for some of Noah's new baby friends.  Here is Mommy with Elease and Baby Quincy.

And here is Daddy and Noah with Nick and Baby Sam.

The couch potato.

A recent night sky...

...and a recent soaphawk.