Swimming, Family, and Friends

Last Monday Noelle and I started to attend a local parent/toddler swim class held twice a week from 10-10:30. The first day was a hit. She talked about going to the "big pool" all day Sunday and woke up Monday yelling "Big Pool Please Mommy" from her room. She jumped right into my arms and loved the water. She even went under with no problem. After a half hour of kicking and slashing her lips started turning a lovely blueberry color and her speech was being hampered by the constant chattering of teeth. When we finally were all dressed Noelle continued to shake and was unable to talk for about an hour afterwards! Of course she had her hat and winter coat, along with pink and white night-nights to keep her warm. On Wednesday we went back and the aerobic class before us was getting dressed when we entered the locker rooms. Noelle did not like all the older women coming up to her. I think it was the fact that they were completely naked and kind of smothered her. She started crying and wanted nothing to do with getting undressed. I finally figured out that if we saw the pool first she was quick to changer her mind! I guess naked, old, loud women kind of get a little overwhelming to a tiny tot! I wish I had pictures but a digital camera, pregnant mom, a toddler, and water would probably end up disastrous for the camera.

Friday we headed into Sturgis to visit Tom's family. The two hour drive is so much easier than a five hour drive! Noelle instantly remembered how much she loved "Grumpa Roe-ig" and was smitten with him the entire trip. Mary, Tom's sister, and her husband Jasen also stayed the weekend.

Saturday we headed over to the home of Andy and Amanda Feyes. Andy is a childhood friend and we haven't seen them since Noelle was about a few weeks old and their daughter a few months. Olivia, their daughter, and Noelle are two months apart and so similar! After a few minutes of getting to know each other they seemed to hit it off. They have similar voices and vocabulary so at times it was hard to tell which one was talking. Olivia seems more outgoing than Noelle and definitely more brave. The men headed outside to tend to the grill and watch the girls and Amanda and I chatted inside as she prepared an awesome lunch. Olivia was so adorable and I couldn't get enough of the two of them playing together. It made me wish Noelle had a few more friends that live closer. When Noelle started to exhibit signs that her nap was close enough to grab we headed out. It was a very successful meeting of old friends and two little precious girls. In the ten minute drive from the Feyes's house back to Grandpa's, Noelle was out within the first five minutes, apparently she had had too much fun!

Back at Grandpa's house we enjoyed a lot of relaxation. Noelle loved to take walks outside and look for rabbits. Unfortunately, I have no pictures because our camera ran out of batteries, but I hope to get some from Mary soon.

Sunday morning we all slept in and had a great

breakfast of homemade sticky buns (thanks Mary). Tom's other sister Liz and her family came over for a big early dinner. "Grumpa Roe-ig" made a fabulous pork roast and all the trimmings to go with it! Noelle did her best to help out by rearranging all the can vegetables and wanting Grandpa to hold her while he cooked so she could keep a very watchful eye of things. We headed home after dinner so we could do some things in the basement, but it was wonderful trip.

In other Noelle news, she has found a new favorite song to sing. The First Noel seems to have been made for her! She only sings the refrain, but boy, she belts it out! It really is very cute.