Noah's Shiner

As promised, here are some pictures of Noah's black eye. Just so you know, these pictures were taken after he woke up from his nap and the swelling always seems worse when he wakes up. It also looks A LOT worse than it is. From what we can tell, he is not experiencing any pain or discomfort. Noah was noshing on what I like to call poor man's stir fry: teriyaki Ramen noodles with veggies. Pretty tasty if you ask me. Noah LOVES Ramen noodles and I have to admit that Dan and I have rediscovered our love of Ramen too. Although Noah could probably do without the veggies.

Thank GOD it's Over.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey got married a few weeks before Dan and I did. I am pleased to report that our marriage has now lasted longer than theirs. YEAH!!!!! We watched the Newlyweds show on MTV because we were newlyweds too. Except we did not have the fancy house, the creepy father in-law (Pa Simpson), or the bank account. I also knew that Chicken of Sea is tuna and that buffalo wings are not from real buffalos.

He's a Bruiser!

So, I was in my office late this afternoon when Noah's teacher from the infant came to see me. She said that I shouldn't panic but that Noah fell and hurt himself and could I come down to comfort him? It was almost 5pm and while I was not ready to leave work yet, I knew that I could not comfort him and them leave again. Apparently the kids were playing outside and he climbed to the top of the Little Tykes climber, lost his footing, and somehow bumped the side of his face near his eye on the fence. His teachers applied ice and his eye is all swollen and black blue. He was so upset when I came to get him . . .his teachers even gave him back his pacifier and that didn't work (at school he is only allowed to have it at naptime). I thought about taking him to the ER but after talking it over with some people I work with I didn't think it was necessary. Besides, a doctor will just tell me to apply ice and then I'll get a bill for $200. Noah is going to have a nice shiner and I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. I'm just glad he is okay. . but he looks like such a bruiser!

In other preschool news, Noah's teachers had the kids finger-paint a mural today. By coincidence, I was near his classroom and I peaked in the window. All I saw was about eight one-year olds finger-painting in their diapers. It was hysterical!!!

I have been a bad blogger.

I have not done a good job of keeping this blog updated over the last few weeks. And it's not as if anything interesting hasn't happened.

I was called for jury duty on November 7th. Not only was I selected for a jury (misdemeanor DUI/DWI), but I volunteered to serve as the jury forewoman. Because if I was going to have to miss two days of work to fulfill my civic duty I was going to take advantage of the experience. I am now fully versed in the DUI/DWI laws in the State of Arizona and exempt for jury service for two years. We found the defendant guilty on both charges and I celebrated the conclusion of my jury service by having a BIG martini at a JCC event that night.

And there was a little incident that occurred this past weekend. The weather was nice so we took Noah to the zoo. He was digging the experience so we wandered over to the petting zoo area. It was my idea to let Noah walk around and pet the goats and sheep but I didn't take a moment to consider that possibility that he could trip and fall right into a puddle of goat and sheep shit. I was, however, forced to consider this as Dan and I were plucking Noah out of said puddle, (it is at this point in the story that Dan would like for me to point out that he said letting Noah walk around the petting zoo would be a bad idea). Like any good mom, I washed his pants out in the sink in the barn and pushed him in his stroller for the rest of the afternoon wearing nothing but a t-shirt, diaper, pacifier, and sneakers from Stride Rite that light up. Noah looked like the poster child for "White-Trash-Baby" magazine. Some of you may be wondering WHY I did not have a change of clothes in the diaper bag. The reason I don't is because the last time Noah had an accident that required a change of clothes was about six months ago. Call me lazy. Call CPS for all I care.

Since I don't feel like downloading the pictures on my camera right now I am going to post a "flashback" picture taken of Noah this time last year. Back when we was eight weeks old. He looks so much older in this picture!

What a Night.

We love our daschund Elie. But we have always had our doubts as to whether or not Eli loved Noah.

Until tonight.

My parents came over for dessert and afterwards we were sitting on the couch chatting. Noah was showing off for everyone by climbing all over the couch and Dan. Then we saw it. . . .Elie climbed on the couch, mounting Noah from behind, and started thrusting his little dachshund hips. Noah had no idea what was going on and while it was disgusting to watch, we all found it oddly funny.

This evening Dan and I also reaffirmed why we will not be taking part in the "elimination communication" rage that is sweeping yuppie moms and playgroups across the country. In a nutshell, elimination communication is all about reading a baby's elimination signs, whether that be 'a strained facial expression or the telltale grunting and bearing down that precede a soiled diaper.' As www.diaperfreebaby.org advises, elimination communication is not potty training, it is about communicating with your baby. And it is (supposedly) a great way to enhance the intimacy between baby and child because as a parent you have to be in constant tune with your child's needs. As if breastfeeding wasn't enough.

ANYWAY, we were getting Noah ready for his bath and I thought it would be cute to let him walk around the house naked. He even sat at his table and played with his toys. Apparently Dan and I have poor communication skills with our son because we did not notice him articulate and/or gesticulate his need to eliminate. So he did eliminated on the chair. When he was finished, he happily stood up and climbed into the tub. I guess this takes me out of the running for Elimination Communication Mother of the Year.

For your viewing enjoyment, here is Noah communicating his elimination needs.

How Cute is Mr. Noah?!?!?!

Noah is SOOOO cute that he has bee added to the Ivillage Baby Photo Gallery! A bunch of ladies on my parenting message boards submitted pictures of their kids, and I was NOT about to be outdone. Because we all know just how cute and wonderful Noah is. Not that I am proud of him or anything.

The picture was taken over the summer and it is one of our favorites. Enjoy!

http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/babyphotos/0,,8dm556mf-16,00.html