The Gauck's: 14-14.5 Months Feb 9

I know I start most of my blog posts like this, but we feel like these past few weeks, Noah has changed so much! He understands what we are saying, follows directions, is starting to say words, has perfected his dance move and has mastered giving raspberries on our bellies! This is such a fun age-he is soaking up everything he sees and hears. That also means our job has gotten a little harder to really be paying attention to what he does see and hear! Winter is still here in Rochester, and it's cold and dreary but we are doing our best to get out and try new things! Noah went to his first Buffalo Sabres game on February 17. We went early and sat right down near the ice to watch the practice skate. He really liked watching the players skate by. He didn't take his eyes off the ice! During the practice, a video guy came around to capture the audience. He came to Noah and did a close up of him. As it appeared on the Jumbotron, you could hear an "awwwww" throughout the arena. Not only did he make it on the Jumbotron, but Daddy and Noah made it on NHL.com and Sabres.com as well! Before the game, we were outside looking for Mom and Dad's memorial brick. A photographer tapped Daryl on the shoulder and asked to take their picture. It turned out very nice! What a fun memory for us to have! Noah wasn't too interested in the actual hockey game. He sat with us for the 1st period. The 2nd period I chased him through the lobby and the 3rd period we all watched from a food court. Haha.

Daryl had a day off of work recently and we went to an indoor playground. They had all sorts of toys, riding things, bounce houses, etc. Noah had a great time. We've been taking walks in our backyard and playing in the snow. A few weekends ago, we had unseasonably nice weather. We took advantage of that and went to the zoo, played outside, rode his 4-wheeler and even took a ride on Daddy's 4 wheeler in the backyard. We alos met alot of nice neighbors while walking that weekend. We are very thankful to live on such a great street!

On February 11, Noah went to the "snack cupboard" when I asked if he wanted a graham cracker. That was the first time he did something like that and since then it has exploded. He goes and climbs in the tub when you say "do you want a bath?" he goes to his room when you tell him it's time to change his diaper, he gets toys and books that you ask for, puts the phone up to his ear and babbles when you ask who is calling....it's incredible to watch his receptive language develop! He now says done, drink, drop (for Ruby to drop her toy while they are playing fetch), stuck and jump. They all sound like variations of "da" but it's coming along. He will sign "more please" (he put the 2 together on 3/11), drink and "finished." On 3/14 he started taking my hand and bringing me to where he wanted to go. It's so fun to see what he wants. Sometimes he just wants to play in his room or with a certain toy. I love seeing his little mind work! His favorite foods lately are blueberries, raisons, graham crackers (Daryl and I love watching him eat a graham cracker-it's very sweet), cheddar bunnies and of course CHEESE! He looooves music and dances whenever we turn it on. He knows right where the remote is to turn on the radio or his music DVD. Noah loves a Laurie Berkner music DVD. They dance and sing some catchy kids tunes that aren't too annoying for mom and dad to listen to. He gets super excited when we turn it on. We usually watch this after his afternoon nap while he has a snack. He tries to do parts of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." It's very cute to watch. Hopefully we can catch it on video soon! He knows where his belly button, nose and eyes are (sometimes). Noah was sick in late February. That's when he learned to wipe his nose and "blow" into a kleenex. He even wiped my nose too. Haha! During that time, his diaper rash came and got very bad. We have been stumped as to the cause and the doctor said she has only seen a few kids with a rash that bad. We tried everything and nothing was clearing it up and keeping it away. Finally a combination of 5-6 things and a 10 minute diaper changing process did the trick. However, now it's back again. We know now how to clear it up, but we are still trying to find the cause. We are doing a food diary again (although we have not been able to link it to a food), and if we can't figure things out, then the doctor is sending him to a pediatric dermatologist.

Noah loves animals. We always stop in the pet store when we are at the mall. He loves watching all the dogs and cats play. He enjoys chasing people's cats and loves, loves, loves Ruby! He is always hugging and kissing her (and poking her eyes and pulling her hair). Noah loves to find her toy and give it to us to throw. Once she gets it, he'll run over and says "drop." Ruby isn't much into playing fetch, but Noah still has fun. Ruby has continued to mourn the loss of her big brother. She has lost her spunk and playful energy and really has a hard time when we leave her. We decided it was time to get another dog-for Ruby to have a companion and hopefully start to feel better, and for the rest of us too. As crazy as Max was, we really miss him! This Friday we will be welcoming our new little pup into our family. She is a lab mix and seems to be a sweetie. Still trying to think of a name...

Noah wakes up at 6am, naps at 9-10:30ish, naps at 2:30ish-3:30 and goes to bed at 7:30. He is kind of growing out of napping in the car now. It has been replaced with really not wanting to get in the car seat. If he has a toy or snack or our phones, he is much happier :) He has tons of energy at home and we all sleep well at night! When we are out, he is very shy. It takes him a while to warm up and let his little personality shine through.

We are looking forward to Easter and hunting for eggs at our house. Hopefully some warm weather will be coming soon!