Happiest Boy

**I wrote this update for our family blog, but I thought I would post it here as well. :)

I am obsessed with this child.  He is my favorite.  His colic is completely gone--it took just about six months for him to totally get over it--and he is a delight to spend all day every day with.  I finally love being a stay-at-home mom!!  As much as I loved my baby all along, it was an adjustment to be home with a screaming infant.  I've heard from lots of other new moms that the first few months can be the toughest, and I'd have to agree.  Noah will be seven months old this week, and he has gotten so interactive.  I think this age is the funnest yet, and I am savoring every moment.

Noah is my little buddy.  We hang out all day, and he loves to watch me as I prepare dinner or work in the kitchen (especially when I dance for him, and really, who can blame him for that?).  This is his favorite spot, on the carpet just outside the kitchen, so he can see me no matter where I go in the apartment:

He still isn't crawling, but he is getting darn close, and I think his new "mobility" is part of the reason that he's gotten so happy.  He isn't bored anymore.  He doesn't have to scream and whine every five minutes in order to be moved or entertained. He can spend 30 minutes rolling back to front, front to back, over and over again, all over the room (this new habit makes it interesting to change diapers).  If he wants to get to a toy, he sorta rolls/scoots himself over to get it.  I am loving this stage because he is mobile enough to entertain himself, but not quite mobile enough to tear the apartment apart.

All of that rolling makes him tired, and he has consequently started taking long naps!!  Hallelujah!  For the first time in his almost-seven months of life, he seems to have a fairly consistent sleep schedule.  I am thrilled because now I can plan my days better, and I can get a few things done while he naps.

My favorite moment of the day has always been when Ryan gets home from work.  It used to be because I was so ready for a little break when Noah was super fussy, but now it's because Noah absolutely lights up with the world's biggest grin when his dad walks in the door.  Whenever I hear the key turning in the lock, I drop whatever I'm doing so I can see Noah's face the moment he spots his dad.   Melts my heart every time.

Noah's still not a huge cuddler, but he's been a little more "chill" lately, where he'll at least sit with me to read a book every once in a while.  And this week, Noah fell asleep in my grandpa's lap when they were babysitting him!  I was shocked because he never does that with me (he's usually trying to squirm out of my arms or grab my glasses or pull my hair or reach for the toy nearby).  Hopefully more snuggly days are ahead!  I've noticed that when he's in an especially good mood, he grabs at my face and kind of attacks me and slobbers all over me--I think it might be his way of showing affection, which makes sense since I am rather aggressive with my own kisses and squeezes.  I can't help it.  I get overcome with his cuteness, and I just have to give him a big, fat, forceful smooch.

Right before bed, when he's tired but not overtired, he gets in an almost deliriously good mood.  He laughs spontaneously, and lately, he's been doing what we call a "happy wiggle."  He is lying on his back, and he just wiggles his head and shoulders and butt back and forth for a moment, like a little happy dance.  I wish I had a video of it because, man, it is adorable.

We love him.  We are so grateful that he is ours forever.  And he is ours forever--that was made official two weeks ago in court and then in the temple.  I know I still haven't blogged about it (I've been feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of chronicling it all), but I am going to this week!  Stay tuned for photos of our handsome little man in white!

Life is so good!