Rowdy Baby Noodle

After we were "done" having kids, Jeff and I were talking about getting the permanent "all done" surgery. I was a bit sad, disappointed not to have another boy. I always dreamed of a houseful of boys when I was growing up. Then, one happy birthday later, before the surgery could take place, we were expecting #4! And baby was due 13 months after MooMoo was born!

My fourth pregnancy was very difficult, physically and emotionally. I had gestational diabetes with all my pregnancies, but it was most difficult to manage through diet with my last pregnacy. I also had terrible sciatic pain the whole time. But all of that was much easier than the news that our baby boy had a higher than usual chance of down syndrome. We had extra tests, met a specialist, changed from a midwife to an OB, and eventually were told that he had no actual physical markers of the syndrome, despite the initial tests. I still half expected Noodle to be born with Downs, and it weighed heavily on me for the last few months. During all this, the specialist mentioned that my due date was probably off, and I agreed with her. I forgot all about it due to the stress, and apparently it was never noted in my chart. So when labor was induced 2 weeks early according to my original due date, I was actually induced 6 weeks early. Noodle was born a premie, at over 9 lbs!

Noodle had some typical premie developmental delays. He was behind on speech and cognition so he recieved therapy for 6 months. He also had interesting sensory motor quirks, took longer to learn to chew, and hated texture in his foods. In fact, he is now 2 yrs and 10 months and today he ate his first "regular" veggie, a piece of broccoli. He still eats baby food vegtables for the most part!

Noodle is a lovey dovey, he snuggles and likes to pet my hair. He is also active, crazy, and a bit wild! He is the only one of the crazies who has ever had stitches, he is the only one who has fallen off the top bunk bed, and he is the only one who hung from the monkey bars before turning 3! He has a huge mommy attachment, and I have to say, I am a sucker for his pudgy little (often scraped or bruised!) face and he can wrap me around his finger just by saying "Wuv ooo Mama!"