Noah Schwartz

Fall & Early Winter 2008

2008-12-21T17:16:00.000-08:00

We are really enjoying our winter wonderland. We've received over 2' of snow in the past three days, allowing us to try out every sort of fun activity - alpine skiing (above), nordic skiing, sledding, snowball fights, fort building, etc. Our new home has opened many new and fun opportunities.

Photos here.

Summer 2008

2008-10-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 7 months since we've posted any pics. Boy oh boy have things changed. Our little bundle has really grown up in this time. He has sprouted like a weed and has even begun school. We took many exciting (and even one exotic) adventures. Not included in this batch of photos is our largest change, relocation from Barre to the Mad River Valley. Those will be included soon.

Photos here.

Easter 2008

2008-03-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

This last one is of maple sugaring at Morse Farm. More pictures can be viewed at Flickr.

The Cook

2008-03-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

This was Noah's night to cook. The creation was all his own. My favorite section: Mom - "so what are you making?" Noah - "uh, uh I don't know, does it look yummy?"

Amazingly enough it was.

Sledding Fun

2008-03-12T20:27:00.001-07:00

Winter 2007

2008-03-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

This site has been sorely neglected, but our life hasn't stopped. We are in the "last throws" of Vermont's biggest winter, 11' of snow and counting. We've had a blast sledding, snowshoeing, x-c skiing, ice skating and hunkering down next to the fireplace. Check out our flickr page for a variety of pictures.

Three!

2007-07-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is in high gear. We went on our first camping trip (canoe camping at that!), spent time at the beach, and celebrated a great third birthday! Noah is amazing us with his compassion, intellect, and of course climbing abilities. These are fun days with adventure (and questions!) around every corner.

Click here for more pictures.

Winter (and early Spring) in Review

2007-05-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

It's nearly the end of May. The winter, which kept strong through April, is gone and we are greatly enjoying all Spring has to offer. Click the link at the bottom for more pictures of snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, digging out from record breaking 32 inch snowstorm, Noah dressed as a Lobster, and more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theschwartzfamily/

Christmas 2006

2006-12-27T19:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was a whirlwind. Noah and Elizabeth experienced Christmas with Papa in Vermont, Momo in Snellville, Georgia, Grandpa and Grandma Julie in Lilburn, Georgia, and finally in NY with the Schwartz clan on the 25th. While in Atlanta Noah greatly enjoyed not wearing a coat, as 75 degrees and sunny requires no prep time in order to get outside! Noah got to spend time with his cousin Jake and the newest addition to the family, cousin Jena.
We are patiently awaiting snow to finally fall. There are snowmen to be built and hills to sled.

Many more pictures available at Flickr.

Christmas with Momo

2006-12-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

Fun Fall Days

2006-10-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

Apple Picking, Shelburne Orchards, October 8, 2006

Many more fall pictures are available at Flickr.

Working Man

2006-07-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Noah is practicing his newly acquired hammering skills. He can't wait to start helping Dad with some of his projects.

Noah turning 2!

2006-07-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Lake Swimming

2006-06-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Having fun on Lake Lanier while visiting his granparents in Georgia. The little man is getting brave.

Gum Sorter

2006-06-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Noah got his hand on a new package of Trident and completely on his own opended the package decided to open up each and every piece from its wrapper. The result was 16 pieces of gum in a pile, wrappers strewn all over the floor, and a very satisfied kid.

Morning Talk

2006-06-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Here's Noah talking to his Momma earlier in the week. He has a bit of a cold.

Extended Family Time

2006-06-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

On May 21st we spent an afternoon in Vergennes, VT with Noah's paternal grandparents, Popop and Grammie, as well as Uncle John and Cousin Kaylyn. Click here for Popop's review of the day. Below is a video of John entertaining the group.

Easter

2006-05-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

A slideshow of additional pictures can be viewed here

Sprout

2006-04-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and growth is everywhere. As the sun went down this evening, Noah and I spent 45 minutes kicking a ball back and forth in the back yard. He started singing "row, row, row your boat" this afternoon. On Wednesday we spent nearly an hour cleaning the wheels of my car and he loved every minute of it(he even pleded with his mama to do it again on Thursday). His latest word is "marble" (he pronounces it mau-bel). One of his favorite books inspired him to take a bite of an apple yesterday.

This is a truly wonderful time. We are enjoying walking in the woods without snowsuits or mittens, eating maple creemies, and looking at the sprouting flowers (which he refers to as "babies"). I'm greatly looking forward to what the summer has in store.

View a slideshow of the latest pictures here.

-Papa

Great Moments

2006-03-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

The "little moments" are the ones that the true joys of parenthood present themselves so eloquently. They are not typically the moments in front of the Christmas tree decked in our holiday finest, but instead the silly grin after a new discovery or the wild step of a fancy-footed dancer on the living room floor. Just tonight I was a part of one of those fantastic moments. Noah just had a bath and part of his bedtime routine includes me trying to put lotion on his ever-chapped rosy cheeks. However, tonight Noah turned the tables on me and as we sat together on the bathroom floor, he skillfully opened the top of the lotion canister and lovingly began to rub the lotion on my face. He had such a tender look on his face as he "helped" his mama. When my face was thoroughly covered (and sticky) he closed the cap and went to climb into bed.

This might not seem so momentous to an on looker, but it is the caring nature of Noah that we love so much and it was also my own ability to let go of what was "suppose" to happen and embrace this loving moment given to me by my son. A beautiful writer once wrote:

The moments I hold most dear are those that arise unbidden in the course of any day-small, evanescent, scarcely worth noticing except for the fact that I am being offered, just for a second, a glimpse into another's soul.

So if my experience as a mother this far has taught me anything, it is to simply sit back and enjoy the love of the daily rhythms that living with a toddler provides.

Slideshow of latest pictures can be viewed here.

-Mama

Big Growth, Little Man

2006-01-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

A whole lot of growth has taken place in the past month. Noah is becoming more verbal (last week was "Lou" and the world's cutest "uhhh-ohhh") and more independent. When he wants a light turned on/off (his obsession of the moment) he moves a chair or stool next to the wall. I can now manage to shovel up to half of the driveway in his pressence - he cruises around with his little shovel making designs and cleaning off small sections, only to cover them back up and make new ones. Before it took all of my energy just to keep him out of the street. And he's become the biggest helper. Just this evening, while helping me re-install the filters for the heat registers, he ran all on his own to get the little vacuum cleaner to clean up the mess that his Poppa had made. I'm amazed at every turn.

Click here to see a slideshow of his latest photos.

Milestone

2005-12-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

I got the call at 11:02 AM today that my dear child urinated in the toilet for the first time. I understand how trivial this must seem to the non-parents, but for us it's huge. Let the training begin.

I'll spare you and him the photos.

More Christmas preparation pictures have been loaded onto Flickr. Click here for a slideshow.

2005-12-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

New photos.

Season of Joy

2005-12-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

We are all feeling the holiday spirit. In the past 36 hours we received 6 inches of fluffy snow, cut down a tree in a forest, sang Christmas songs around a campfire, witnessed a holiday parade, waved at Santa Clause, and decorated the house. Grandpa Glen and Grandma Julie are here from Georgia and Noah is having the time of his life. Check out new pictures at Flickr.

King of Tools

2005-11-23T04:27:00.000-08:00

Noah has been enjoying helping his folks with any task they may have. Let it be fixing the garbage disposal, folding laundry, cooking, clearing the table, or fixing door handles. He is always at the ready, and usually with his tools. A few weeks ago a repair man was on the roof fixing a leak and he and his Mom were watching from the driveway. After a few minutes he darted inside the house. Moments later he came back outside with his tool kit, ready to lend a hand.

The falling snow looks beautiful. We are about to head to NY to share Thanksgiving with the Schwartz clan. We intend on sharing pictures soon after the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

-Pa

Begin

2005-11-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

Our little man is nearing 17 months. It's a hard age to explain to the non-parents of the world. At 15 months he was "a year and a third" and not too long ago he was "a year and a quarter." But now I guess it's simplest to say "almost a year and a half." But as any person who has spent a good amount of time with a wee one surely knows, there are plenty of changes that take place over a short period of time that the vagueness seems inappropriate. Especially when it's your own child.

Noah is just starting to use his words. Two weeks ago when he and Elizabeth left to visit his southern side of the family, he was just able to say "momma," "dada," "lulu" (favorite stuffed friend) and "wow." Seven days later he had words for door, keys, cheese, ball, up, grandpa, hello and phone. It is amazing and wonderful to see him express himself. I'm awestruck at how quickly he changes. Elizabeth told me this evening that he doesn't become a "toddler" until 18 months. That may be the case, but I'm not sure what it's called when I see his baby-hood quickly becoming a memory and he's only 506 days old.

-Pa