Noah: “Mom, you make my heart feel so happy!”
Category Archives: Noah
Painting
The past couple of nights I’ve stolen an hour or so to paint a room with my four boys. I love the feeling of working alongside my family on a project. The boys are all quite proud of their handiwork and the paint job turned out great. It was quite adorable when Brigs and Joshua painted their names on the wall. A classic moment.
Pretty Good Looking. Pretty Quiet. And Pretty Deadly
That cute little boy, Noah, in addition to being unusually beautiful is also unusually quiet for our brood. So quiet in fact that he sneaks right under our “parent-radar” that over time has become more sensitive to sound then the lack of sound. For instance, this past week he has left the house on three occasions and made no announcement of his exit. He plays quiet and he escapes quiet. Seriously this is a baby you’d like to have with you on your prison break. He also loves to make messes quietly.
Tonight’s featured dish/capers? Completely smashed ceramic cookware followed by Sesame Ginger Teriyaki marinade (absolutely delicious by the way, Safeway Select brand) dumped all over the carpet. All without a peep. The kid’s as quiet as a 9mm silencer, incredibly good looking, charming with all the ladies—I tell you he’s the next James Bond.
Pretty Good Looking for a Boy
This week I’m enjoying full-time Daddy status. No more pencils. No more books. No more teachers. Dirty looks. As I said to Daria this week, I think I could enjoy being independently wealthy (all character development, work ethic etc. being equal). At the same time, the minute I’m not occupied with reading, organizing/packing our home or playing on the playground with the kids, I find myself lost looking for something to do. The pace at school is fairly brisk with no shortage of tasks to complete. The playground is a nice change. Occasionally I get in a brief chat with a nearby adult. Today, while I held Noah, a friendly old man with suspender-held shorts started in.
“I remember when my kids were that young”
“Oh how many children do you have”
“I had three.” I assumed he still had three and didn’t follow up on his use of tense. “Three boys.”
“That’s great I have four boys.” He didn’t hear the boy part.
“Four! Well she’s a nice little girl”
“Yeah, actually this is Noah, he’s a boy”
“Pretty good looking for a boy”
“Yep, he’s a looker alright,” I said non-offended, almost proud really. But it made me wonder. I started thinking about my pyschology textbook with it’s pictures of babies without gender cues. Always fun to play that guessing game. Noah was wearing a forest green shirt with stripes and jeans, pretty good cues if you ask me.
But gender cues aside, I have to agree, he’s pretty good looking for a boy. Must be from his mother’s side 
Ever so Close in My Arms
This past week, as on other nights, I had the moment to reflect on my wonderful brood of boys. The last of the Muirhead boy birthdays past this week (excepting myself), with Noah turning one on Friday. The last few nights I’ve been able to hold Noah until he fell asleep in my arms and peacefully observe his gentle baby breaths. As I enjoyed him, it conjured up other nights with other sweet breaths of my little children. I have a very sweet set of boys, still full of affection. My heart stirs each time Joshua insists on a hug and a kiss before I leave for the door. My reentry nearly always starts with the running of Brigs into my arms, his eyes abright with expression and his valiant smile in tow. Dylan always brings news of his latest accomplishments, and though towering over his brothers, still a boy, and still just as tender, as we say goodnight. I never knew that little lips and arms could have such a big impact, until I had little boys. Perhaps that sounds strange in our day, or in our culture, but nonetheless it is altogether beautiful in its righteous form, in their pure offering of loving affection. I write this for a future day, so my sons may read of my great love for them and what for me is precious and dear. Dylan also had his cast “sheared” this week and bears the honour of the first Muirhead boy (in our family) to wear a cast. In true form Dylan handled his temporary accessory with mature acceptance. I don’t recall one complaint while he had it on, or even one refusal to take on a task, however awkward it might have been. Of him I am so ever proud. Dylan had a priesthood preview event this month to prepare him for receipt of priesthood power and responsibility. We look upon Dylan as the trailblazer in our home for his younger brothers and their behaviour proves this role.
There are many traits Daria and I would hope to have in our home among our members; as I remember moments both recent and foregone, I am certain that tenderness abounds. May it always be so.
