Dear Joseph,

Happy 8th birthday, dude! It’s a big one, as it is the age of accountability. It is the age you decide whether or not to be baptized, and you told us that is what you want. We are very happy for your decision and hope you are ready for that day!

You are almost done with second grade. I still have memories of second grade and so it is bittersweet to have a baby of my own close to finishing it. You will be starting a new school next year in Los Angeles so I hope it goes well! We recently received a report card and you are passing all your subjects. Your weakest subject is citizenship, which encompasses responsibility and conduct, but you went from “needs work” to satisfactory. I remember starting this past school year and how much we struggled getting you to write even a word or two and now you are taking more responsibility for your own work. Hopefully it will get to a point without needing to constantly remind and redirect you, but you can do the work and that’s great!

I noticed just how much older you are getting. For one, I had to get new clothes and shoes for you again! In another major way your front teeth started growing in! It has been over two years of having no front teeth but they are coming in and they make you look so much older. You also have a pretty decent appetite and maybe the least picky of the kids. I will say you aren’t fond of many childhood staples like Mac and Cheese, but you replace it with healthier options like beans and fruit. You are starting to eat things I cook which is a big deal!

This Christmas we got a Nintendo Switch and you love it! Your favorite game of all is Animal Crossing and you love catching all the fish, bugs, and critters that come your way. It’s the perfect game for you and your brother. Dad decided to get you new games for your birthday which you are taking to as well: Pokémon Shield and Luigi’s Mansion. They are still new but as I write this letter you are concentrated deeply in Pokémon.  Your favorite show is still Wild Kratts, but I think you secretly like Mickey Mouse Club House. You will come up to me and say Eden wants to watch it when I know she never mentioned it. It’s really cute but I understand it’s uncool for you to say you want to watch it!

You can be a sweet big brother. Noah was born last month and you ask to hold him often. You also have a lot of patience for Eden, which is a big deal considering she is in the throes of toddlerhood. Eli is a different story, but I realized you guys spend quite some time together. So you do get along quite often, it’s just easy to notice when you don’t! Lots of whining and tattling. We are learning how to say sorry and how to forgive. I’m learning a lot of patience as well with you and your siblings so I too need to learn to say sorry and forgive. We are all in this together. 

This year we paid for swim lessons. The reasoning was to get you used to water more than anything! Swimming is an important skill but it will take quite a bit of work to get you proficient due to your distaste of getting your face wet. I want to put you in an extra-curricular soon but it has been a head scratcher as to what you would really enjoy! Let’s face it, you inherited my athleticism and flexibility. And music doesn’t seem to be your jam. Perhaps scouting? I know if it involved animals and nature you would be much more keen to learn. Hopefully by the next letter I can mention a new thing you have tried! 

You will be getting baptized next month with your cousin Ryker. I’m hopeful it will be a good experience for you as you start your path of discipleship. We love you so much Joey and look forward to another year with our 8 year old!

Love,

Mom

Noah at One Month

 

+ Voracious little guy

+ Not very predictable when he will sleep at night

+ Prefers bottle over breast (but will still take breast in the right mood)

+ Packed on good weight since birth

+ Doesn't like the pacifier

+ Likes baths

+ Pukes quite a bit

+ Lots of grunts and squeaks, long with 'nah's and 'waa's

++++++++++

Can hardly believe that Noah is one month old, but if I take a look at newborn photos, I can clearly see the chunk he's put on since he was born. I see a lot of Joey in the lower half of his face but he has his own look as well. I think he has the lightest hair out of my newborn children and his eyes are still the newborn blue-gray. Time will tell what color they become, but I don't have high hopes they will become blue. I feel somewhat guilty because he monopolizes quite a bit of my time whether I feed him, hold him, or pump milk for him. With his lack of sleeping at night there were times I was ready to be in the next phase, even though he was my last newborn to snuggle! But I think I have found my stride and am really enjoying this little guy. We love you Noah Lane!

P.S. Sam is so nice in making my not-so-inner nerd happy with these Avatar, the Last Airbender month by month photos. He created the logos in the corner and let me purchase an Appa plush for Noah to grow next to. Thanks, Sam!

Noah's Newborn Photoshoot

 Here are the professional shots we received of Noah and our family.  Enjoy!