Week Two

Noah is two weeks old!

I think we've finally got the weight loss/feeding issues figured out and hopefully we'll start packing on the pounds (or even just the ounces!) in the next couple of weeks.

Lots of friends have stopped by to meet our little guy. My friends Kasey and John, Krissie and these guys: the Seaburys.

He finally met his Aunt Becky and will soon get to know lots of other family members.

Noah had his first bath and liked it --I think.
He's just not a huge fan of the 'after bath' chill that comes with being wet. Who does?

Nate needed to work last week, but he's home this week and the next. He is a huge help, but, even better, he and Noah are getting to hang out together.
We're looking forward to Christmas and making lots of sweet memories as we celebrate as a family of three for the first time!

Week One

Noah is one week old today!

Last night and today I've been having those "One week ago right now..." thoughts. What a special time that was for all of us.
This little guy has shown right from the start that he is just fine with getting a little extra attention--from anyone who will give it. Because of his birth weight and being born 8 days early, he was labeled LGA (large for gestational age) which meant a bunch of glucose tests.
He failed his first and second hearing screenings, which meant more attention and an even fancier test -- which he passed.
And, he decided to go on a little pre-holiday slim down and lost just about 10% of his body weight over a period of days, which meant lots of feeding from mommy and three trips to the pediatrician for weight checks. He's doing great.

Noah decided right from the start that he was going to be a baby that should be held -- ALL the time. For eating, for playing and for sleeping. He hates being swaddled and laying on his back. (Um, isn't that how babies are supposed to sleep these days?)
He does, however, love being cuddled, snuggled and sleeping on anyone's chest...all day and all night long. His mommy and daddy have tried the suggestions in those really smart baby books we're reading, but Noah isn't interested.

Good news though, after one week, we may be making progress. After strongly protesting while getting a little sponge bath this morning, our little attention-getter completely calmed down and put himself to sleep. What? This little guy taught me this morning that he's really in to "water music" -- not the classical stuff, just the straight from the faucet kind.
Whatever works, right? Thank you City of Folsom for not getting around to installing our water meter yet. I promise we'll curtail the water wasting as soon as possible if this works.

Week one has been miraculous, exhausting, and, most of all, wonderful.
Through tears of happiness and exhaustion the first thing I remember saying when Noah was placed on my chest after being born was, "We've been waiting for you." He is nothing short of a miracle, an answer to so many prayers, and simply adorable.

All I wanted for Christmas...

...was a sweet baby to arrive just a little before his due date.

Noah Nathan Boyce did just that.

On Wednesday, December 8 at 4:42 a.m. we became a family of three.
When I got to the hospital the doctor guessed he would be 7 pounds, 6 ounces. His actual birth weight was 9 pounds, 3 ounces.

He fills out all 20.5 inches of himself quite perfectly.

We are just loving this little guy and anxious to get out of the hospital later today.

You can be sure that lots of pictures will be shared in the coming days!

Job Promotion

Today my 'promotion' became official. I walked out of Mrs. Boyce's classroom and not long thereafter stepped into my new office -- home.
Promotions usually coincide with a pay increase. With my new job as mommy, that definitely will not be the case, but I expect generous compensation in the form of love and time with this wonderful little boy...who hopefully decides to come sooner than later.
Oh, this has been an emotional week. Each time as I tried to talk to my kids and prepare them for their new teacher I'd cry. This bunch, well, they are just that special. I have no doubts about my decision to leave them for the rest of the year, but the good-bye part was rough.
For all of my adult life, since I was twenty-one, I've been a teacher.
A teacher is who I've been and, I guess, who I'll continue to be -- just in a different capacity.

It's been a challenging, rewarding, and memorable ten years, that's for sure.

If I had only known all those years ago...

In her retirement, my mom has finally had time to organize and discover all kinds of forgotten treasures.

On Sunday she shared one of her latest finds:

(You might have to click on the image to really see.)

Who would have thought all those years ago that two kids, performing one right after the other at a piano recital in Rancho Cordova, would one day, about 15 years down the road, share an even better experience -- this:

(Isn't he handsome?)

Life has a funny way of bringing people together and having paths cross. With apologies to our dedicated piano teacher, I think we're much better at marriage than we are at the piano, that's for sure!

Today we celebrate four years. Not very long in the grand scheme of things, but long enough to have experienced our share of beautiful memories and faith-building experiences. We know better than ever how to love, support and really take care of one another.

It's also our last anniversary as a family of two. Life is about to change in a VERY big way!

November showers bring...

a December baby!

It goes something like that, right?

Last week I was spoiled!

First, some of my dear friends from church threw an incredible baby shower. Denise, Becky, Tammi, Melody and Ashley it was a perfect night. Thank you!

I, of course, was not an incredible picture taker. Thanks, Ashley, for having your camera. Can't wait to see the pics!

I understand more and more as life goes on why I call these women and so many others 'sisters.' They are that in every sense of the word. They made sure the evening was filled with fun, delicious food and meaningful (and hilarious) stories about taking care boys. I'm incredibly blessed to have so much help when it comes to advice about caring for little boys! Ladies, I'll be calling, that's for sure.

Then, these incredible friends got all of my co-workers together and spoiled me again. Bonnie, Lynn and Alison went to a ton of work to plan a great party.

These are friends that I've had and seen daily for the past ten years. We've gotten each other through a lot, both personally and professionally. It's hard to believe that in a couple of weeks I'll be stepping away from that.

Alison made this cute cupcake tower out of terra cotta pots. So creative!

Debbie is a retired teacher who now substitutes at my school.

She has been my go to gal for the past three years. In fact, for about a year she was like a second teacher to my students. I'd be gone every other day or so in the morning for doctor's appointments, and she just walked in and taught. It was almost effortless for me. She jokes that thanks to me needing her so often, she relandscaped her backyard with the money. I'm just grateful that she was there -- a LOT.

This shower, just like the first, was so fun and memorable. One thing is for sure: thanks to so much generosity, we're getting closer to having what we need for our little guy. He's definitely going to be well dressed!

Only 5 1/2 more weeks!

this guy...

This guy, if you haven't met him, is my sweet dad.
He and my mom spent today in San Francisco doing nothing tourist-y or recreational. In fact, Dad spent a significant part of today having his brain mapped at UCSF hospital in preparation for a big day tomorrow.

Tomorrow is brain surgery day---deep brain stimulation surgery day, to be exact.

You see, even though Parkinson's disease has actually progressed much more slowly than we ever thought it would, in the past year, especially, it has shown no mercy. Dad has reached the end of the medicated road with this nasty disease, and it's time for some serious intervention. Thus, the sort of pacemaker for the brain that he'll get tomorrow.

In the early hours of the morning my sister and I are driving to SF to keep my mom company for this very long procedure. We're optimistic, maybe a little nervous, and very grateful to have access to such amazing medical care that could be very life changing for our whole family, especially my dad.

So just hold still tomorrow Dad and be patient as they keep you awake and work on your noggin. Tell those genius doctors to stay clear of your 'punning' and humor reflexes when they're poking around. As much as we moan and groan about it, your wordy gems are a huge part of what makes you special!