My Birthday

My 30th birthday was in early February, and even with our lack of finances my husband, my best friend, and my parents managed to make it wonderful! Matt had to work on my actual birthday, and then that evening we had community group, but he still made the day special by giving me my favorite flowers (pink roses), treating me to a fabulous lunch at Maggiano's, and he surprised me with a cookie cake at group. I actually requested a rather quiet and relaxing birthday celebration, so the weekend after my birthday, we went to Springfield to spend time with Sarah and Jay. We met them at Lola's for an early lunch and our first desserts of the day...chocolate and strawberry cake! Sarah gave me three cards, and entitled them each differently "Evie The Mother", "Evie The Best Friend", and "Evie The Woman Warrior". She's so creative! She had a sweet message in each, along with money for shopping in each! Way too much, but boy were those fun cards to open! After Lola's, Sarah and I split from the boys and spent a little time shopping. We cut our shopping trip shorter than we may normally have done, because Sarah was after all 7 months pregnant at the time! And I have recent memories of how quickly one can tire while carrying around a pregnant belly! We went back to her house, where the guys (mostly just Matt:) were preparing the meal that she had set out. She had notes on everything, giving explicit directions on what should be done and how it should be done. So funny! We had a fantastic meal, followed by a game of Settlers and then some hot cider and Milkyway cake. It was quite the chill day of delicious food and good times.

In addition to my at-home (Missouri home that is) celebrations, my parents sent me a Bible. I've been wanting a new slim Bible, and they sent me one that belonged to my dad, which of course I love way more than I would have a brand new one. For those of you who don't know, my dad gave me a Bible in '94 that was his, and I hold that one very dear; so now to have a second from him is quite special. They ALSO, bought me a plane ticket to Florida, so Noah and I traveled there on Feb. 23 and returned to St. Louis on March 6. Mom jokes that it was a mutually beneficial birthday gift, as she got to see us (us meaning Noah!) and I got to get out of the cold. (Yes, mom, I know you wanted to see me too!) We had a great time. Noah started sitting up fairly well while we were there, and he learned to take his pacifier in and out on his own. Mom bought him this Leap Frog drum, and he sat on her bed and beat that little drum like he knew what he was doing. I can see his development almost daily it seems. Mom and Dad really enjoyed spending time with Noah, and of course it was very sad to say goodbye yet again.

These last two pictures were taken last weekend at Steve and Debbie's. Check out Noah's excellent posture. Why isn't my back that straight?

First Foods and Daddy Time

I'm so behind here! January 12, Noah had his first experience with rice cereal. The picture above is literally his very first taste of it, and he seemed to like it...this "seeming to like it" has turned into LOVING it. He was definitely ready for a little more substance I think. I would mix the rice cereal with some breast milk, and he ate it up.

Carrots came in mid February. His furrowed brows here are hilarious. It's almost like I can read his little mind..."what the heck is this mom?"

Seriously? His face here is so cute, and his bib says it all.

I LOVE these pictures of Noah and Matt. Noah is in love with his daddy. When Matt greets him in the morning or when he comes home from work, Noah gets this huge open mouth grin on his face. It's one of the sweetest things I've witnessed.

Proud Teacher

Facebook is pretty amazing in its ability to hook us up with those with whom we may have otherwise stayed out-of-touch. I know I have some major catching up to do on my blog here, but before I tackle my second trip to Florida and Sarah's baby shower, lend me your ears for a quick reflection on one of my favorite students from my teaching years. Her name is Courtney, and she and I have been "walling" each other on Facebook. She was 15 when I met her and was a student in my World Literature class in Tampa. She and a close friend of hers, Nikki (now goes by Nicole...why must they grow up?) were excellent students and super sweet girls, and we formed a close connection. We have sent an email here and there over the years, but she recently shared with me her blog, http://www.hungryyogini.com/. I've been reading through it for the past few minutes and have found myself just bursting with pride at her growth. Obviously, people change between the years of 15 and 20, but I really noticed the maturity in her ideas and writing. Although I'm a tiny part of her past, I'm still finding myself swallowing hard with a huge grin and a scrape of sentiment.

Over the last couple of years, I've really become intrigued with the beauty of food, and Courtney clearly has this passion too. She couples the aesthetic of good food with it's healthy benefits and writes all about this in a very accessible way. Check out her blog. It's really great!

Christmas (Finally!)

So my good friend Sarah G. berated me at lunch today for not having updated my blog in a LONG time. I'm sorry! Facebook, the crack cocaine that it is, sucked me in, and the little time I have online I've been spending away from blogspot. I will try to curb this habit and divide my time equally! And before you read any further, let me warn you that the pictures below are EXTREMELY out of order. I'm tired of trying to maneuver

them to no avail.

Over Christmas, Matt, Noah and I went to West Palm to spend the holidays with my family. It was a well needed rest for Matt, and we all had a super relaxing time just hanging out in the warm weather. The day we flew out of St. Louis. it was 4 degrees! Upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, it was 75 degrees. What a welcomed relief! Our skin was instantly re-hydrated! Seriously.

Ben and Marsa` weren't scheduled to arrive until Christmas Eve, but surprised us all when they showed up a day early. I won't ever forget the look my bro gave me as he held Noah for the first time. It was heartwarming to me. He and Marsa` were great with Noah, but I think all of the work Noah requires solidified their commitment to waiting several more years before beginning a family of their own. In the meantime, they'll just be a fantastic aunt and uncle. We captured some great moments of them with Noah.

One of the best parts of the trip for me was getting to see my dad spend an extended period of time with Noah. Of course I love that my mom was able to do the same, but she has had much more time with him to date than my dad. Dad (Pops) was here when Noah first arrived, but hadn't been able to see him since. Anyway, it was tremendous. He sang him oldies, played in the yard with Noah, they sat by the pool together, they took many a stroll around the patio and driveway, Dad made him a vintage model airplane, and he also had quite the time making all kinds of faces and sounds at Noah. I wish so badly that Noah could have the pleasure of growing up around my parents.

My mom was just as wonderful as she was when she was here. She would come into our room every morning to get Noah so that we could get more sleep. She would talk to him while she was eating breakfast and carry him around while she diddled around the house. She often took him outside to enjoy the warmth. They would just sit and bounce in a chair outside by the pool. Noah also seemed to get real chatty with mom. She would take him into the living room, prop him up and engage in conversation. He would babble right back as if he could understand her perfectly. His little babble is the cutest stinkin' thing in the world. I tell you, if there has ever been a grandma-of-the-year award, it should definitely go to my mom. She's done so much for us, and Noah couldn't love her more.

OK, well, enough of the writing. Here are some of the pictures from our getaway. Again, they are hilariously out of order.

a picture I took at our place before Christmas
Noah's first trip to the beach. Aunt Marsa` is wearing him in the Bjorn because his Uncle Ben refused. That's right people...Uncle Ben refused. He will not live this down for a long time. I was quite upset. Marsa` does look awfully cute with him though!

They are gonna make some cute parents one day!

This is on New Year's Day at Nate and Vanessa's house. Matt flew back to MO just a few hours after this picture was taken.

Notice Mom holding up the "Noah's Ark" blanket.

Noah, in the Duke jersey Ben and Marsa` gave him for Christmas, watching the Duke game.

A sweet moment between father and son...Matt was spending as much time holding Noah as he could before he flew out that day.

Corban and Noah were so cute in front of the tree. Corban was quite the little ham, while Noah just stared at his hands!

The Bush boys with Noah, Holly and Lorrell

See? Noah really is rooting for Duke!

Mom and Dad decided to incorporate some of Marsa` and Matt's family traditions into our Christmas so they would feel more at home. One of the "traditions" they recreated was the luminary lighting around the bay that Marsa` does with her fam each Christmas Eve. Rather than lining the bay (which is all the way over in Tarpon), they made luminaries with various family members' names on them and lined the pool. It was actually quite beautiful, and I now look forward to doing this every year we spend Christmas with my family.

Noah chilling with Uncle Ben

More Duke!! Mom treated all of us kids to breakfast. We were going to go to John G.'s on the ocean, but the line was around the building so we switched locations. We still had a good breakfast; but not much can compare to the delicious almond crusted french toast at JG's. Oh well, next time! Noah looked like a little baller with his hat and jersey.

We took a walk on the River Trail one day. Ben and Marsa` rode these fantastic beach bikes that mom and dad have and the rest of us hoofed it. It was lovely!

She's too cute!

Family picture! This was taken the day that my extended family came over. We didn't plan the brown.

This is Noah's 2nd cousin, Savannah. He's looking at her like she's insane for sitting next to him.

Now he's looking at her like she might lose that hand should she not remove it.

Love this!

See? Aren't the luminaries so pretty? We had dinner together out on the patio on this particular night. Some of us are still around the table.

I LOVE this picture. Noah actually looks like he's trying to open the gift. And Daddy Matt just loves his little boy.

This is at the end of the gift opening on Christmas morning. Opening presents is a lot of work for such a little guy! You must not ignore the drop waist backside on Noah's pj's!

Just playing around

Aunt Diana holding Noah while he naps...she just loves him!

Mom with her parents and her brothers and sisters (minus Kevin).

Noah and Grams hanging out by the pool. Noah: "Look mom, no coat!"

Noah must be thinking, "wait...is this what fresh air feels like?"

"I'm bored people; let's get this show on the road."

"Finally! My first present!"

Daddy and Noah

Mommy and Noah on the way to Florida. This is Noah's first plane ride. The blue and brown strip you can see in this picture is a nursing wrap. That's right, I tried to nurse Noah on the plane...this did not go well, and I did not attempt to repeat on the way home!

Daddy and Noah on the plane. I was so happy Matt and I were experiencing traveling with Noah for the first time together! I would have been a mess without him.