My biggest son just had his birthday on the 23rd. I can believe that he's 4, having lived the last four years spending every moment with him, but I can't believe how big he's grown. He almost is really that big boy that he believes himself to be. But also still my baby. He asks SO many questions...this must be that phase that you hear about, and it irks me sometimes, but I'm also proud to see how inquisitive his little mind is & how intelligent. He works out the most amazing things on his own. I tell him often what I write now: that I always knew I would have him, that I used to dream of having a blonde boy years before I ever knew I would have children, and that he's my most special big boy. God gave him to me and I'm so proud of the way he's growing & learning.

Enjoy the pics below:

After fielding about 20 questions a day as to when his birthday was, I created a calendar on his whiteboard & he put his little magnets on each day until the day of the blessed event. This is him on his big day, putting the last magnet on.

Awww, happy boy with his presents.

We recycled the Spiderman bag from last year (thanks, Grandma!) and he was thrilled. Notice Dillon Redpants in the background, taking a small break from earnestly trying to get all the balloons off the walls.

Noah playing with the birthday gifts. The camera was probably his biggest gift, and he really likes it. The toys at his feet are the Disney "Tarzan" toys, courtesy of E-bay!

In the water at "Surfin' USA", or the Wet N' Wild Waterpark, with friends Ethan & Zach...his fondest wish come true.

Oops...didn't turn this one sideways. Opening a final gift from his friends, a T-ball set & glove. Thank you, Marsden family!

Jeff holding the jury-rigged pinata while Noah takes a swing. Jeff acknowledges the retarded way his feet are positioned, but agrees with me that this is the best picture we have of Noah & the pinata. So deal. :)

Thank you, family members who called/sent e-cards! Noah appreciated & liked it! We love you!

Baby update:

Yes, friends, I am still pregnant. I feel like I should have delivered by now...like I've been pregnant as long as an elephant, which I understand gestates for over 5 years. Or something. Also, I begin to greatly resemble the elephant. But I digress.
I am 37 weeks pregnant, or 9 months (for the uninitiated). Biology lesson: most people carry their babies until about the 40th week, and then segue into labor and delivery in a natural, drug-and-hospital fest, with nice, compact, 6 or 7 lb babies to show for their pains. My family: not so much. All of us, my mother & older sister & I, ROUTINELY carry babies until they are ready for kindergarten or have at least grown hair long enough to be put into a pony tail. This is a big problem for doctors these days, who can't seem to understand that to us, a 12 lb baby with wrinkled, stained skin from swimming around in it's own meconium (poop) for a couple weeks is par for the course. (Hey, childbirth is not for the faint of heart.) So I don't really have a chance in hell of delivering naturally, because in order for it to be natural, I would go into labor about a month after my due date and my doctor would be medically disbarred or whatever they do to them. So all this to say, I'm almost certainly going to have to be induced.
But maybe not, she says with false enthusiasm! Because I found out that young Zoe has, in the immortal words of the poet, done the hokey pokey & turned herself around, but it is NOT what it's all about at all, because she is now breech. All of which to say, I may be having a scheduled C-section in the next 2 weeks unless she decides to turn again. I will find out this next Thursday and keep you posted.

Happy 4th and Miscellany: a pictoral montage

Jeff, barbequeing on the 4th

Nice!

Don't our backyard look fine? Jeff has been taking good care of it in hopes that it will sell our house faster.

A very pregnant Suz preparing other good things for the 4th BBQ

Our annual trip to Western Playland amusement park, and Dillion's first time on the rides.

Happy boys. Noah rode with Dillon on every kiddy ride...a necessary precaution, because Dilly will take it into his head to literally climb out of his chair at any given moment.

Riding a yellow vintage car is serious business.

Look at me, Mom! No hands!

And brother held his hand for the rest of the ride. What is more astounding (and sweet) is that Dilly let him. They really do love each other.

Not too sure about this ride.

Here come the fireworks! Get ready....get set...

GO!!!!

A word on this pic: last year Adrianne visited us for the 4th and I posted a, perhaps, not so flattering picture of her on that date. Well, in the spirit of fair play, aunty Adie, go ahead & laugh at this one. Even though I look as retarded as they come, it was so good I couldn't pass it up.

Our handsome pickle

Proof positive that Dillon is my son: he loves to put my shoes on & prance around. Any shoes, actually. And you've gotta love the pose!

Pictured here with Noah's shoes on, and VERY pleased about it.

Daddy with a big old grin & glasses on. Jeff & I both recently had to have glasses made for reading...getting old.

I woke one morning & this was the first thing I saw in the living room. Can you say AWWW with me? I love this photo.

An action shot on the 'Slip & Slide', a terrific & free way to spend our 100+ degree El Paso days.

"Man, that's gotta hurt"

What's with the hand?

And below, a little day-in-the-life story of brotherly interaction. We'll call it "For the Love of the Vaccuum Cleaner":

"Whaaaa! Brother has the vaccuum cleaner that I covet more than life itself! Whaaa! I'm a brat!"

"I shared! There, aren't you proud of me? Aren't I the best boy on the face of the earth? Isn't Dilly the naughiest?"

"Ahhhh. I got what I wanted. All is peace on earth...at least for the next 20 seconds until I see something else I want".

The end.

Our handsome boy posing in his pyjamas. We love you all & hope you had a good 4th of July!