Here is how I picture my Noelle-y in my head:
(June 2007)

Here is how she really looks:

My Noelle is sweet. She gives dainty little kisses and sympathizes with anyone hurt or in need, often crying along with them. But she’s also a feisty little girl who hates injustice and will defend her loved ones quite forcefully if necessary. She has an innate fashion sense, coming up with wonderfully colorful layered outfits. She is always cheerful and can entertain herself better than the other children. She has never ever tried anything sneaky or deceptive, she is all innocence. And she has “a way with animals” – she is our cat whisperer. She is such an important part of our family – best friends with Arianna, though she can play for hours with Ezekiel – she has enough energy and patience for both of them! We love her, and now she is SIX!  Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

Pictures from the festivities

(Cake per her specifications. She also requested homemade pizza for dinner).

Reading King Midas and the Golden Touch - Thanks Nana!

While we were opening presents, I noticed Emily was awful quiet. Where is she? Ahh, I should have known...

Well, Friday night I felt Joel finally move into the right position, and I thought ‘good! That ought to help labor get along quickly!” Saturday morning I got out of bed at 8:30  and started feeling contractions around 9:00. Right away, they felt hard and serious, and were coming pretty frequently, so I knew it was the real deal. We had planned to go garage sale-ing that morning, there were a few in our neighborhood and I thought of walking around to them might help, but I was already progressing too far to be able to get ready in a timely fashion, or care too much once it was getting too late. We left the house at 11 am, dropped a book off at the library, and picked up our friend who agreed to come with us and watch the kids at the birthing center. By then, it was pretty obvious that we needed to get there FAST, so Adam had a fun (harrowing?)  time speeding along the freeway to get there. A few minutes before we arrived, I felt some fluids leaking out, and was really worried then, because for me that usually means baby is imminent. But he held out, and Adam helped me out of the car and into the center. When the midwife checked me she said my water hadn’t completely broken and that I was dilated 9 cm. I wanted to get in the tub, but the next contraction came and my water broke in one big gush. I tried to get up again, but the next contraction let me know that it was time to push! After two back to back pushes his head was free; I paused, pushed his shoulders through, and felt instantly relieved when the rest of him slid out too (isn’t that the best feeling in the world?)  We had gotten to the birthing center at 12:30 and he was born at 12:37!  He weighed 8 lbs and 1 oz and was 21 inches long, and we named him Joel Titus.  He has lots of dark hair, just like all the rest of my kids (yes, even the ones that are now blond!) and is just perfect. Thanks for all your prayers!