Noah is 11. Sigh. It’s all gone so incredibly fast. Some of its a blur and some of its crystal clear. And all of it creates this pretty amazing life we have together.
I remember after he was born, finally being able to take him home after a long hospital stay, terrified to my core and wanting to take all the machines with me that would tell me he was ok. I remember as he got older waking up to his voice saying, Mamamamamamamama over and over again and walking into his room to his whole face and body lit up with happiness at seeing me. I remember dancing with him in my arms until he fell asleep. I remember how he would toddle up to every person he saw, stranger or friend and say, “hug, hug” and all would comply and everyone would leave a little happier and lighter afterwards. I remember his first slide and how his obsession with parks started and never ended. I remember his first time seeing a puffin and how he giggled uncontrollably while he watched it dive and shake it’s feathers and fly. I remember when he pronounced Obama, Omama.
And today I am still keeping track of all those little memories that stay with you a lifetime. If Noah spots a dog and its owner it does not matter how far away they are he will instantly start saying, “um excuse me, um excuse me, can I pet your dog?” Noah loves Amazon like his Mama and will ask “Is it on Prime” on the regular. He uses the following words and phrases frequently and almost always accurately: you never know, actually and by the way. My favorite is, “I love you by the way.” And that is almost always followed with, “How much do you love me?” While he no longer asks everyone for hugs (I’m going to view that as a positive) he continues to engage nearly everyone in conversation. “Hi there, guess what? I have a dog named Brody. Do you have a dog?” Or my most recent favorite at WinCo, “Hi there, guess what? They have giant pieces of chocolate in the bins. You need to go get some.”
He continues to be very concrete in his thinking and says exactly what is on his mind, which can create some interesting conversation topics and very quick subject changes by Mom and Dad😂. “Hi, you are old and going to die soon.” Yup that happened.
Noah is so kind and loving. He continues to have no idea that anyone in the world would ever be mean. This has caused me many sleepless nights where I worry about the future and how others will treat him. But more than anything it helps me to also view the world through lenses that see the best in everything and everyone.
The breadth of Noah’s love and influence is vast. I have had so many people tell me the different ways that Noah has touched their lives and lightened their load. And sweet Noah has no idea. He is simply living and being himself and changing lives in the process. And that speaks volumes.
Happy 11th Birthday Noah bug. I’m so lucky to be your Mama.
*Per tradition we had our usual close family party on his actual birthday and then his friend/extended family party the following Saturday. Yep, I know I go all out for birthday parties and yup, to some I know it seems excessive, and nope I’m not going to change. I LOVE celebrations. And Noah LOVES them just like me. Oh and did I mention this year Noah wanted Dog themed parties? Oh yes we did! Tanner forces (begs) me not to go overboard for his (apparently teenagers don’t want bouncy castles and balloon animals).
Tracy at As You Like It Cakes makes all of Noah’s birthday cakes. That is our dog Brody in the middle and she even found a dog with headphones on! And it tasted beyond amazing.
Adrian at AdrianMarieDesigns on Etsy is amazing. The invites I found were all for actual dog parties (you guys I had no idea how into dog parties people got, no judgement, I was just surprised). Adrian revised one of her invites to work for Noah’s party and then through our many conversations we found out we both had kiddos on the spectrum. She loved that Noah loved dogs so much, that she made this specialized print for him completely free and as a surprise. It now hangs in his room.
As Snug As A Bug 