Update on our Boys

Written by Kimberly Hartwell

It's amazing how time flies, and it's almost been a month since I've blogged. Our boys are doing so well. Jonah is now 11 months old - as of today! How is that possible? We've had some fun new experiences with him over the weekend. Friday he actually began crawling. He's been military crawling for months, but never on his knees, and Friday night he took off, as if it was normal! Then the scare came...Saturday afternoon, I went upstairs to grab a gift bag, and when I came down - he was STANDING on the first step, leaning against the second step! AAAHH! It's one of those moments where you think - if I run to him, he'll fall backwards, but if I don't get down there quickly he'll fall backwards... thankfully I made it downstairs and he did not fall. Guess it's gate time! We did have fun with it though. I got out the video camera and Jay followed him. He went up all 15 steps on his own. WOW! I have a feeling when he actually begins walking we'll have to watch out - he's so ready to get moving!

Noah is growing quite a bit as well. His vocabulary is growing as he tries to use our phrases and slang. Just today before nap time he was mimicing us saying 'it cracks me up', by putting his hands over his mouth in a gesture as if it's crackin him up, and he says 'it craps me up'. Oh boy... Today he was in his first Christmas show at church. Of course, just like Noah's personality in any new situation, he does not smile but rather looks sober and takes it all in. Once they got to his favorite song, he started to get into it. He loves doing the hand motions / signs to Away in a Manger. He was in the front row and really did so well.  Of course, we were the doting parents with video camera and wiping tears from our eyes. It was neat that we were next to 4 of my mentor moms from church and they all sat there beaming at Noah as well. Noah also LOVES to help his mommy in the kitchen with almost every meal. Several days ago we made sugar cookies and he knew exactly what to do before me telling him. He grabbed the rolling pin and began rolling. I have to admit I was rather impressed at how well he did in rolling it out pretty smooth. While of course it does take longer having Noah help in the kitchen, it really has been a joy and a special thing for us this last month or two.