Dancing Boy

Noah is really communicating with us these days, though it mostly consists of pointing and grunting/screaming. He is really close to saying "palta," which is avocado in Chilean Spanish (he loves it).

The other day I introduced him to swing music, and he loved it! When Nano got home, the two of them were in the living room together while I was in the kitchen. Noah came walking over to me with the remote control to the stereo -- apparently, he wanted to show dad his dance moves! I followed him to the living room with the remote and turned on the music, and he danced for us. Nano said he had been pointing at the speaker, but he didn't know what Noah wanted until he walked over to me. Here he is, in his dancing splendor!

First birthday, Christmas, New Year's, oh my!

So much has happened since our last postings! First, school picked up the pace, and time was short with final exams, papers etc. In the midst of it all, Noah turned one!! I can't believe it has been a over a year since Noah came into our lives. Our lives have been totally transformed, turned inside out, and we love it. Just one little smile from this little guy makes us melt in a split second. He is busy trying to climb stairs and confront obstacles. He protests loudly if he doesn't get something he wants (no, I really want to walk through the leaf pile, I really want to drink your soda, I really want to carry around your phone and then drop it in the toilet). He still doesn't say any real words, but he is trying really hard -- lots of babbling and bababa's, lots of shrieking. He came close to "airplane" with "ahbah" (he was repeating after me), and he got "Tata" (grandpa) down when we were in Chile, since it was one of his favorite sounds, but doesn't say it much anymore since his Tata isn't in Philadelphia. He can now stand up from sitting down with no help, and loves steps.

We celebrated his first year birthday with a few friends and a huge cake. He had a good time, after warming up to it. He didn't care much for the birthday hat, to say the least, but he enjoyed the music and being on daddy's shoulders.



On December 20, we headed to Chile! The flight was packed, long, and well, uncomfortable. He slept in my arms, but kept waking because he wanted to stretch out and turn over, and then arched his back and cried when he realized he couldn't. On the way back, we had a little more space (one extra seat), but it wasn't too much better.

Noah loved meeting his cousins in Chile, and thrived in the bustling environment of a big family. Catalina and Josefina (9 and 7) made faces and sung to him while he ate and Magdalena (almost 3) played on the baby slide with him. Julian (4) was so excited to show him something, he took him by the hand, "Noah, ven!" and when Noah couldn't keep up and fell, dragged him across the floor. (I did not witness this, but apparently it provoked only laughter from Noah's dad, while Noah's uncle came to the rescue.) Visiting some friends, he figured out from Sebastian Martin (4 and 2) how fun it is to run across the room onto the patio, so he spent a good deal of time practicing that feat. We took him to the beach in Vinia del Mar. At first, he didn't want to step on the sand, but he was soon filtering it through his fingers. On his last beach day, he delighted in running out to meet the incoming surf (with our help, of course!). He loved the water! We had a wonderful time.

Here he is in the sand:


With his cousins:

And here is some cute babbling...

First Halloween

Noah enjoyed his first Halloween dressed up as a little bat! We listened to some children's music at the mall, and then posed for some pictures.

Peek-a-boo

This one speaks for itself...

Now he's getting around

Last night, my phone rang in the living room while we were both in the family room with Noah. I went to go get it, and he walked right after me! That's the furthest he's gone yet. Here is a video from the morning of October 26th, at 10 months and 1 week (plus a few days).

Our little walker

A few days ago, Noah took his first steps! He has now walked about five feet across the living room. Of course, every time I try to film, his little walks are much shorter, but you can get the picture. He is so excited with this new development! Now we really need to baby proof!

Practice

Noah is getting good at taking steps! This video, from 8 1/2 months, already looks outdated.

Chasing Monty

People often ask how Noah interacts with the cats, and vice versa. So far, the cats are very patient with him. Here is Monty taking it all in stride, with Noah 5 days short of completing 8 months old:

Trip to the pool

Noah's achievement in the last several weeks has been pulling himself up to stand. He started right around 7 months. I set him down in the bedroom while putting away some clothes, and less than a minute later, I looked over to see him standing up, holding onto the bedrail (which is at floor level)! I was completely surprised.

Here he is at the pool at 7 months 3 weeks, so excited at his new vertical position!

Bathtime is fun!

Noah loves his baths! Here he is at 7 and a half months, laughing at mommy...