Itsy Bitsy Yoga

Last week Noah and I tried out this cute little mommy and me yoga class in Laguna Beach with some friends. Noah was slightly distracted in the class, but would do the poses with a little encouragement from the sweet, patient instructor. I bought a book with yoga routines for toddlers and began incorporating one of the routines into our home life. Noah loves it! He asks to do yoga all the time, specifically downward dog, lunge, and warrior poses. He's pretty good at it! I learned some poses that are suppose to calm "spirited" children (like Noah!) and help digestion and sleep. I'm excited to share something I am passionate about with him and it's great to have yet another bonding activity for us to enjoy together during our sometimes long days. I hope it instills a respect for the mind-body connection in him and that he can build on this foundation with healthy outlets later in life. We're so lucky to be able to do things like this together!

Potty Learning...

Noah is learning to use the potty! He is 33 months old now. We've been talking about it for a long time, reading books, using encouragement (and trying to avoid the whole "training" thing) and now he is actually motivated and making the connection! It's very exciting and I'm proud of him for learning all on his own, on his own terms. He's been going around the house nakey for awhile, having a few accidents here and there and going in the toilet once in awhile with some encouragement, but about 95% of the time, he goes to the toilet on his own. Sometimes when we put his pants on or undies, he forgets and the connection is somewhat lost, but in the familiar places (home, parks) he definitely has the connection. He even went #2 the other day, which I was worried might never happen! Here's a funny story. The other day we were at a park with no bathrooms and I told Noah he could go on the grass. He pulled his pants down right in front of two teenagers and proceeded to release himself! They were mortified and embarrassed, while Noah and I were super excited!

I can't believe how fast my little guy is growing up...

Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I've decided to continue my tradition of giving Noah a book as a gift every year. This year I bought him On the Night You Were Born. Last year I bought him I Love You Every Little Bit. I guess I'm keeping it mushy as long as I can!

Noah is really enjoying the Waldorf playgroups. We made Valentines to give out to the other kids and Noah's teachers, Ms. Uschi and Ms. Lorna. Noah used watercolors to paint red hearts, then we glued white doilies on them together. Daddy cut out the hearts and then tied little silver sparkly bows on each Valentine, along with a little message. I'll post them later:) This was so much more fun and meaningful than just buying some Valentines at the store to hand out. This was also our week to bring snack so we made some cute little heart-shaped banana muffins, hard boiled eggs, and strawberries. Unfortunately, Noah is getting over a cold, so we could not be there to celebrate the festivities. Bummer:(

First Friends

I am really enjoying watching Noah blossom in the social area. His first real friend (whom he asked for and talked about) was Gavin, a three-year old boy across the street. Noah started asking for Gavin randomly after hanging out with him a few times and would cry when Gavin left. Then he would say things like, "I love Gavin. I love sharing with Gavin." Soooo cute! (although he doesn't always *really* love sharing with Gavin;)

Noah is also learning that he can not only play with adults, but that he can play *with* other kids (and it's a lot more fun I'm sure). Last weekend at a birthday party, a little girl around four years old grabbed Noah by the arms and said, "Let's play ring around the rosie!" Noah looked dismayed and jolted at first, but after he went along with the game, he had the hugest smile and kept asking her to play again and again. That was the first *real* time he's actually played with instead of next to another child. It was completely heartwarming:)

Today at the park, another little boy, around four years old, named Jake wanted to play with Noah's ball. Noah did NOT want to share. So I suggested they take turns kicking the ball back and forth to each other. After contemplating this idea, Noah reluctantly kicked the ball to Jake (I was secretly giddy inside, as Noah has NOT been following my suggestions lately). They played together for quite awhile, kicking and throwing the ball back and forth to each other. I am so proud of and excited for my little guy!

First time bowler!

On Sunday we took Noah bowling for the first time at Westminster Lanes and he just loved it! The first two bowling alleys were closed, so it took quite a bit of patience on his part to wait in the car that long. It was me, Noah, Daddy and Grandma. Noah was so excited to put on his bowling shoes. He used a six-pound orange bowling ball, which he effortlessly carried around. We had bumpers and Noah would go right up to the lane to do the squat and roll technique. It was the cutest thing to watch! He would stand there with such finesse, such attitude already, and then turn around with a huge smile, clapping with a skip in his step when the ball hit the pins (and even when it didn't hit the pins!) Then he would give us all a high-five for his efforts. He was having so much fun that he didn't want to wait for his turn. So, the softies we are, we let him eventually just take over the game and gave him our turns. It was all about him anyway! He has lots of time for silly rules, right?!

Oh How I Love My Baby's Kisses...

Noah has become quite affectionate. He'll randomly kiss or hug me and it just melts my heart every time, never gets old. The other day I was (trying to) sleep in while Noah and daddy were playing and Noah came into the bedroom and just planted a kiss on my cheek. He also comes up and gives the most hearwarming tight squeezes. I just love those hugs and kisses and cherish each one! Noah also imitates me at nap/bed time and will put his soft blue blankey over me so carefully and gently, and will then give me soft rubs on my arm or back. I love watching him reflect back to me the loving care he receives from his parents. What a sweety pie!

Cars, cars, cars...

I don't know if it's inherent in boys or what, but Noah is obsessed with his matchbox and hotwheel cars. It started at around age 2 1/2. He loves strategically driving them into the perfect spot and arranging them all just perfectly. Then he proceeds to rearrange them. Don't dare touch one of them! He won't have it! And don't try to move one! Although he has more than I can count, he apparently keeps a running inventory in his head and knows when one is missing. The other day I put one in the diaper bag as an emergency toy. When Noah later went to play with his cars, he immediately noticed it was gone and frantically asked, "Where's the blue car?! WHERE IS THE BLUE CAR?" He also enjoys talking about all the details of each car and rolling them down a self-made ramp. He'll roll all the cars down the ramp, one by one, commenting on where it landed and what it did (spun out, crashed, etc.) and then asks mom or dad (or any other willing party) to pick up all the cars and bring them back to him.

I can't relate...must be a boy thing!

It's Been Sooo Long...

I've not been very good at keeping up with this blog...so I'll try to go back in time and recap all that has happened since Noah's second birthday...here goes!