I'm long overdue in writing about Noah - and since this has become where I pretty much record everything about our lives, I better do it before I forget anything! This is going to be long...and mostly for my benefit, so don't feel obligated to read it all!
We've worried a lot about Noah over the last few months. He's significantly behind where Drew and Addie were at this age in a lot of areas, but especially when it comes to his speech. Granted, I think the other kids were ahead of the curve if anything, but I just can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right. What's really frustrating is that we're in the UK...which means national health care...which means you need a referral to even see a real pediatrician (our referral to see one was rejected by the way). After a couple of months of red tape, we finally have him on the list to at least see a speech therapist for an assessment, but the wait is going to be at least 18 weeks. Not good enough for this mom! So, we've decided to move home early! More on that later...
The reassuring thing about Noah, is that he is continually progressing, especially in the last couple of months. As of a couple months ago, we weren't getting many gestures out of him, he didn't seem to understand what we were telling him and had a hard time communicating what he wanted from us. He's now 20 months and although he doesn't use any real words, he babbles and carries on like he's having a conversations with anyone who will listen. He's started waving and pointing over the last month or so and will give kisses and head-butts and especially loves to give hugs these days while saying "oooohhhh". He's really turned on the pretend play lately too...talks on the phone, brushes his hair and is always pushing around a car or train and making engine noises. He just learned to ride his little car this week and likes to do laps around the table or chase the other kids with it. Noah's just starting to be interested in books . His favorite is "10 Silly Monkeys" and he will take my finger and make me count all the monkeys on each page. The kid loves TV of course, and will come down in the morning, sit on the couch and push the remote at me until I turn on "In the Night Garden" for him. If I try to turn on something else, he lets me know he's not happy! He's getting really good at letting me know what he wants - usually trying to push or pull me in the direction he wants to go. If he's hungry he'll try to climb up in his chair, or just go raid the cupboards himself! He's definitely starting to understand us as well. He'll follow a few simple commands and generally just seems to be getting it now. He definitely knows when he's in trouble! We're trying to teach him to sign a little because he gets really frustrated when we don't understand. Hopefully that will help things even a little more. He loves Drew and Addison and is starting to try to do things to make them laugh - and often succeeds. The kid may not talk, but he's hilarious. I spend hours each day laughing at his antics. He's just fun right now and although I'm excited for this next baby, I'm sad that my one-on-one time with Noah is going to be cut short. With the other kids at school during the day, he's my little side-kick. I worry a little about being able to give him enough attention when this new one comes. I guess that's what nap time is for!
Anyway, other stats (that none of you will care about)...Noah's about 24-25 pounds and wearing size 18-24 months on the bottom half and usually 2T on the top and a size US 6 shoe. He's starting to thin out and look like a little boy these days (sad!). Still takes one really good nap each day, but we're struggling with him at night. He wants to be in our bed!!! We're working on that one, but he's a stubborn little bugger and will cry for hours if we make him stay in his bed and sometimes we just have to give the neighbors a break! Just wait 'til we get back into a house, Noah!
OK - so here's some pictures...
This kid LOVES his "slickies" (anything silky) and will often go around the house collecting anything he can to use. The blue one here is actually his - but he's also got my PJs and something of Addie's. This was one of those days he didn't get a nap. I found him here about dinner time - poor kid!
This is how Noah reacts when we turn on his favorite show, "In the Night Garden".
Pretty much half of Noah's day is spent here playing trains...actually usually dismantling the track and getting mad at the trains when they come apart! He loves it anyway!
OK - this isn't especially charming - but I couldn't resist...
