Happy Birthday, Noah

Sweet Noah,

You're two years old today. There's almost nothing in the world you love more than things with wheels. Cars, trains and planes. The only movie you've ever sat through is Cars and you would watch every day if you could. Lightning McQueen (or Queen, as you call him) is your favorite. Grandpa is probably on the top of your favorite list as well. If the doorbell rings, you yell "Grandpa!" and ask to see him any time we get in the car.

One of the best parts of my day is going to your room in the morning. I lift you out of bed, carry you to change your diaper and clothes, then let you loose. You always run as fast as you can the second your feet hit the ground. "Off he goes," I whisper.



You are talking more and more each day and I can't get enough of your sweet voice. You love letting me know what you want to eat and drink, what you hear, what you see.

You ask, "please?" when you need help and I love when you put your finger on your ear and say "choo train!" when you hear one passing through town.

Recently, you started asking me to watch you play. "Watch!" and I turn to see you standing on the couch ready to leap or holding an airplane as high as you can before letting it sail to the ground. But I'm watching so much more than that. I watch your eyebrows expressively lift and fall when you're playing and coloring.

I watch how your little fingers grip as many cars as they can hold. I watch how you copy everything your sister does and says. I watch your face when you're smiling for a flash of your adorable dimple. I watch you rub the silky edges of your blanket when you're tired, and because I'm your mama, I watch you sleep.

The past year has been the most precious I've ever had. You complete our family and I couldn't imagine a day without you. At night when we're having some quiet time reading books, I tell you that if I could pick any little boy on the earth to be my son, I'd pick you every time.

Happy Birthday, baby boy.
I love you,
Mommy

Autumn. {and a corn husk wreath tutorial}

Let me keep it real. Our fall decorations are up. They've been up for a couple of weeks now. We are enjoying them, but right now, Michael Buble Holiday on Pandora is blasting from the speakers in the living room. Martina McBride's version of Baby It's Cold Outside captivated us immediately. Noelle's dancing and twirling her Little Mermaid umbrella. Noah is running around in his pajama's and Aaron is smoking chicken out back taking regular breaks to peak at football scores. It's a typical weekend morning at the Gardner house.

Soon we'll be hosting friends for a BBQ, but first, I'll give you a quick tour of our fall decor (which is just the beginning since we haven't visited the pumpkin patch yet).

To make this sunburst-style corn husk wreath, first gather the supplies: corn husks, small-medium size wreath (any material should work. I already had this one from the Target dollar section), and a glue gun.

First soak the corn husks in water until they are pliable. Drain the water and peal the layers to open the husks and let them air dry. While they are still damp, wrap individual husks around the front of the wreath, hot gluing the back and front of the husk to the wreath. 

Continue around the wreath several times, making the tips of the husk shorter each time around.

It needed an embellishment so I cut three strips of burlap and hot glued a bow together.

A couple of buckets, lanterns and pot of crimson chrysanthemums finished the porch. 

Using carbon paper, I traced "Welcome Friends" onto the pumpkins (real from Target) and painted the tracing gray. If you're intimidated by tiny paint brushes, you could use a sharpie marker. 

On the mantel this year I only added to the "year-round" decor.

The "Harvest" bunting was recycled from the Harvest Fest photo area that I decorated last year at our church.

Besides making the corn husk wreath and picking up the Target pumpkins, I didn't buy anything new this year. In fact, the orange bins labeled "fall" in the garage are still half full. Which either means I'm in a continuous downsizing trend or I have too much stuff to begin with.

 

Dining room. Our "family code" found a new wall spot.

The weather is cooling off here in California. There was even a chill in the air this morning that required a sweater for fetching the coupons Sunday paper out front. Although Mariah's "All I Want For Christmas" has everyone bobbing around the house, we can wait for a little longer for winter. There's still pumpkins to pick and turkey (or three) to slice. Happy fall.

Amanda

getting away.

Over Labor Day weekend, we had the opportunity to stay with friends at a gorgeous 7-bedroom home in Lake Tahoe. I was hesitant to go at first because of the long drive. Two kids trapped in a car all day was sure to be miserable and most likely wouldn't be worth the fun memories we would make over the weekend. I was wrong.

My children surprised me. Once again proving that they are much more resilient than I give them credit for. They are road trip super stars.

After nearly 8 hours in the car we arrived in lake paradise.

Noah had no trouble adapting to his new surroundings. He owned the joint the second we walked in the door. 

The rest of us didn't do so bad either. Can't complain when there's great food, continuous laughter with dear friends and a hot tub on the roof waiting to take our aches away.

Aaron and I took the kids for their first jet ski ride. Noelle waved to everyone on land like a beauty queen on a parade float. And Noah fell asleep. Wrapped in a foam vest, soothing water sounds and rhythmic movement - how could he resist?

We've been feeling the need to get away from the house more than ever lately. The sweetness of the summer months when we were all home together has soured with late hours at work and daily evening activities. Taking a break from our new routine allows us a dose of family time that is otherwise impossible.

We need it.

As much as Noah needs naps. 

And sister needs sunshine.

I've experienced moments this month that have literally taken my breath away. Taking a minute to appreciate God's glorious creation from the middle of a vast lake. Watching my children play with my best friend's children - something we've talked about happening since we were in 5th grade. And hearing my college roommate bravely describe her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

I know these are growing moments. Eye-opening lessons. The unfathomable power of our God. The realization that time is quickly passing by. And the uncertainty of the future. Being busy and overworked is not how we want to live so we are consciously taking time together as a family by getting away.

-Amanda

Growing Up

We celebrated Noah's half birthday this week.

My little man. He is awesome. During my pregnancy with him I was terrified that I wouldn't connect with a boy. Noelle and I were such a great team, how was I going to handle having a little boy? It didn't take long for me to understand the bond other mom's of boys described to me.
Noah and I have something special. Some days Noelle can be...complicated. Noah is just a guy ready to laugh and figure stuff out. And I love watching him do just that.

Here's what he has been up to lately:
Noah has 12 teeth and currently has 4 more coming through. Good thing he has so many chompers because he eats like a teenager. Seriously. The kid will put down three slices of pizza in one sitting.

He is a very active little guy. And by "active" I mean destroying everything he gets his hands on and then usually throwing it.

His favorite things are Brinkley (our dog), being chased, playing in the little pool, coloring and reading books at bed time.

When Noah was 15 months old he refused to nurse. It happened over a period of three days which were very hard on me. I tried everything I knew to get him interested, but nothing worked. I planned to breastfeed him for at least 18 months but now that I think about it, that goal was unrealistic. There's no way my busy boy would sit still long enough. He doesn't want to miss a thing.

At the beginning of this month, the kids started "school." It's an Spanish/English Parent & Me program that is funded by the state of California. It's just a couple hours each week but I feel very blessed to have gotten them enrolled. Noelle is interested in learning Spanish and has been picking it up quickly through her teachers and the other Spanish-speaking kids in the class.

Noelle is also keeping busy being mommy's big helper and the most amazing little girl. I cried last week when I checked my facebook and scrolled through many First Day of School pictures. Kindergarten is one short year away. My baby is going to leave me for the first time. Honestly, I can't handle the thought. Someone recently told me that it gets better the older they get. I'm sure they're right, but in this moment I don't believe them and I want my baby to be four forever.

Tonight we made a step towards the direction of Kindergarten. It was her first day of Awana's at our church. I explained to her that it will be just like Sunday school but a little longer and super fun. She cried when she got out of the car and begged me to take her back home. But we made it to check-in and once she got in her classroom she immediately walked over to a couple of girls and started playing. Two hours later I was the first parent in line and kissed her sweet face a million times. Then we went out for ice cream. She can't wait for next week.

I'm so proud of my babies. Growing up and becoming incredible people. I'm desperately trying to live in the moment more often. My mind has a way of sending me to the future where they are grown and I miss them so much that it's literally painful.

I hope I remember special moments like this. When I look behind me and see my heart walking hand-in-hand. And I hope they know how much I love them. "All the way to the moon and even the sun" as Noelle says. 

-Amanda

That time we woke up and decided to go to Disneyland

My husband is a busy guy. Especially in May when he is wrapping up the school year and finishing the swim season, all the while planning for summer water polo and countless other things. Needless to say, I don't expect anything for Mother's Day. A steak on the grill and a bottle of Riesling has been the tradition.

So this Mother's Day started out like the previous three, waking up and getting ready for church. Then Aaron said, "Let's go to Disneyland today!" Uh, yah right. I plan things. Make lists about making lists. A trip to Disneyland would require several weeks of advanced notice. So asking me to pack up the kids and drive to Southern California that same day was absurd. 

Yet, for some reason I agreed. 

I know people who pack for Disneyland as if they are preparing to survive in the wilderness. Canteens, a backpack dedicated to snacks, several changes of cloths, a first-aid kit. I went for the essentials: sunscreen, water, socks and hats. And after a quick trip to Fresh and Easy, we were on our way.

We didn't tell Noelle where we were going until she woke up from her nap, saw the Goofy parking lot signs and said, "This isn't the beach! It's DISNEYLAND!" Aaron and I talked about taking her for her upcoming 4th birthday so this was it.
And she loved every second.

Noah also had a great time. He pointed at everything saying, "dah dah dah" which means "I want to touch that NOW and if I can't I'm going to scream." 

 

Their first ride (ever) was It's a Small World. 

I can remember going to Disneyland as a child and watching Noelle's excitement was like experiencing those memories all over, but better. 

 

The highlight of our 2 days at Disneyland for Noelle was meeting the princesses. She was vibrant and chatty while we waited in line and when it was her turn to shake hands with them and ask for their autographs she shyly twirled her pigtails and answered their questions with short whispered sentences.

Rapunzel was her favorite. It took an hour and 38 minutes in the sun to reach the front of the line but worth it for her prized autograph. 

Our tickets were 2-day park hoppers so we visited California Adventure a couple of times. Not enough to get the layout of the park down, but we found a few places the kids enjoyed - A Bug's Life and The Little Mermaid ride were big hits.

"Ariel's House" as Noelle called it, was where one of my favorite moments happened. I held my sleeping Noah while we swirled around in the clam shells. 

He also napped through Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Day 2 we found an empty area and sat down to watch the parade, not knowing that it was the very end of the parade and the floats/performers would come inches from us.

It was a blast. So much more than I expected from our spontaneous road trip. Sometimes I let my frugality get the best of me which takes away from certain experiences. Let's just say, lesson learned. 

 -Amanda

{new life}

My best friend since the 4th grade had a baby Monday morning. Kim and Adam welcomed their second son, Andrew. He is perfect.

I'm all about newborns. Especially the ones who will grow up to call me Auntie. These babies fill my heart with so much joy.  

At nearly 9 pounds, Andrew is what Kim calls a "little fellah" compared to his big brother who was a pound heavier at birth.

There's nothing softer than newborn baby skin. It's the silkiest velvet that you've never felt. That totally makes sense.

I love every wiggle, yawn, squeak, and stretch.  Each is a reminder of how great our God is. How every person is a miracle, masterfully created. 

And I can't talk about proud daddy's without getting teary.

Andrew's first bath.

Andrew,

You have the coolest mom of all time. Her friendship has been one of the best things in my life. Because of her I've been able to laugh through every embarrassing moment and had a shoulder to cry on through every heartbreak. Her wit is unmatched and her love is unconditional. I know you are going to grow up to be an amazing man and I can't wait to see what God does in your life and what you do for His kingdom. 

I love you,

Auntie Amanda