Merry Christmas!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Usually we open ALL gifts on Christmas morning.  This year we had to change things up a bit.  We had our Secret Santa gift exchange Christmas Eve and the boys opened their gifts from Nana and Papa, Will and Daniele, and Whitney and Evan.  Great Grandma Phyliss celebrated with us too.

Will, Whitney, Grandma Phyl, and Megan

The boys were spoiled before Santa even came down the chimney.  We had our traditional soup dinner and played some games.  Whitney and Evan took off for Des Moines despite the snow that had been falling ALL day.  We ended up with a lot of snow!  Daniele and Will also headed home.  Nana, Papa and Great Grandma stayed over the see what Santa would bring the next day.

Nash

Nolan

Uncle Will and Nash

Nolan and Uncle Will

Nana and Papa

Nolan, Great Grandma Phyliss, and Nash

Whit and Evan

Daniele and Will

This morning Nolan was up at about 7:30 but Nash slept in until about 8:30.  He has a cold again.  The boys were ready to tear into their gifts about the time Will and Daniele arrived again.  They stayed to watch Nash and Nolan open their gifts then took off to spend some time with Daniele's family.  Needless to say, the boys were showered with more gifts today.  I have no idea where we are going to put all of this stuff!  Nash doesn't want to take off his Buzz Lightyear laser.  I think he might sleep with it on.  

He took a nap in his new sleeping bag today.  We are planning to try out their new sleds this week too.  I really tried not to get carried away with the gifts but I was not very successful.  It doesn't help that everyone else got carried away too.  Even though we all enjoyed our gifts again this year, we did not forget the reason for the season.  Just a few minutes ago Nash noticed a few more gifts under the tree. He said, "Mom, are those gifts for Baby Jesus?"
Nolan was really fussy this afternoon.  We put him down for his afternoon nap but he wasn't having it.  I think his teeth are still really bothering him.  I can finally see the top three new ones when he smiles but they are no completely through yet.

It's now almost 9pm on Christmas night.  Daizy and Memphis are in their beds chewing on their new Christmas rawhide bones.  Nash is playing with his new "Cars" cars and race track.  Jason is watching basketball.  Nolan is sleeping.  I'm blogging (with my eyes half open).  Once again, I'm feeling blessed.  Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

I need to go to bed and get some rest.  I'm so glad it's only Saturday. Next week is going to be crazy busy at work! Grandpa Steve and Grandma Alonna will be here from California for a few days.  Jason and I are looking forward a New Year's Party at our neighbor's house next weekend.  The party theme is Gangsters and Games.  We still have to get our costumes figured out and come up with an Italian dish to take along.  Babysitter...CHECK!  That's right, we hired a babysitter for the first time ever!  I know that sounds crazy but it's true.

Quotes from a 2 3/4 year old

Nash: It's OK Mom.  I'm gonna go fight Nolan.  (As he walks away with the long vacuum cleaner attachment in his hand.)
Me: No Honey.  I don't want you to fight Nolan.
Nash:  Mom, I'm gonna fight him.  He's a nerd.
WHAT?!


During lunch today the dogs were barking outside.  Nash yells toward the sliding door, "Dogs, be quiet!  You're making me nervous!"


I had taken Nolan up to his crib for the night but he must not have been ready.  He laid up there crying for a while.  The next thing I knew, I heard Nash's voice in the monitor.  He was saying, "Nolan it's OK.  Why you crying?"  Then he yelled to me downstairs, "Mom, come look at Nolan."  Nana went upstairs and came down with both boys.  Apparently no one was ready for Nolan to go to bed.  :0)

Whirlwind Weekends

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind!  My cousin Cate got married in Galena on 12.11.10 so we rented a house and spent the weekend there.  It snowed like crazy so Nash got to go sledding and build a snowman with Jason, Will, Whitney, and Evan.

Will, Jason, Nash, Evan,  and Whitney (photo taken through a window..in where it was warm)

Evan, Whit, Snowy, Jason and Will

Nash and Nini worn out from playing in the snow

Most of my cousins were able to make it to the wedding so it was a fun time.  Congratulations Cate and Jarod!

Jarod and Cate

Nash, Megan, Jason and Nolan

Annie, Whit, Cate, Daniele and Megan

Joe, Jason, Daniele, and Will

Cousin Tim (officiant) and Cousin John (backup officiant)

The "Gator" (there was also the limbo, chicken fights, and some sort of imaginary double dutch jump rope dancing going on too...it got a little crazy)

This past weekend Nash, Nolan, my parents and I drove to Ohio to be with some of our family.  My dad's cousin Steve passed away suddenly at the age of 54.  It was a long drive but worth it to spend time with family.  There were so many people at his visitation and funeral to show their support.  He will be missed by many!
Since things have been so crazy the past several weeks, Jason and I decided to get an artificial tree this year.  It's been nice not having to clean up the needles or worry about keeping it watered.  I do miss the smell of the fresh tree though.

Nash adding the final touch to the tree with Daddy's help

Nolan's One Year Checkup

Nash and I took Nolan in for his one year checkup today.  Unfortunately he had to get three injections in his thighs.  Then we had to go next door to have his finger pricked for the hemoglobin and lead tests.  Poor guy had a rough day!  Nash was in charge of holding Nolan's pacifier.  When Nolan started to cry, Nash rushed right over to put the paci in Nolan's mouth.

Nolan weighs 25.3 pounds now, about a pound more than he weighed at his 9 month checkup.  The difference now is that he is getting a little taller so he is in the 75th percentile for height and weight.
Last week, tooth number 4 finally popped through so he has four on the bottom now.  During our trip to Ohio this past weekend, numbers 5 and 6 started to surface as well.  His two front teeth (just in time for Christmas).  It looks like the one to the left of those is not too far behind.  What a trooper!  Thank goodness for infant tylenol!
Only 4 more days 'til Christmas!

Quotes from a 2 3/4 year old

**Nash wanted to help me decorate Nolan's birthday cake on Sunday.  I compromised and let him frost a cupcake from the leftover batter.  Then he wanted to eat it...for breakfast.  I realize this is not the breakfast of champions but I let him eat it anyway.  After a few bites I asked him, "How is it Buddy?"  He said, "This is the best lunch I ever had!"

Nash fell asleep eating lunch after playing out in the snow.

**I was looking at some On Demand movies to watch and asked Nash if he wanted to watch The Princess and the Frog because we hadn't watched it before.  He said, "That's a girl movie maybe."

**I turned on the TV this morning and the Today Show was on.  I happen to really like the Today Show.  Nash said, "I wanna watch a boy channel."

**I took both boys grocery shopping at Wal-Mart the other day because Jason was out of town and we needed some things for Nolan's birthday party.  I thought that was pretty brave of me.  My nerves were probably a little frayed by the time we had to stop at Hobby Lobby really quick to pick up frosting tint for Nolan's cake.  I was all set to check out when Nash stopped at a display of plastic airplanes.  I asked him (probably somewhat irritated) to start listening and stay with me.  He told me several times quite loudly on the the way to the checkout, "You listen to me right now in my ear!"

POST IT NOTES:
**Nash likes to have his blanket on his bare tummy when he starts to get tired (satin side down, fuzzy side up so he can rub his hand across it until he falls asleep).

**Nash loves it when I put his comforter over his bed like a tent.

**During meal times, there's a fine line with Nash that you do not want to cross.  While eating Nolan's birthday supper (gluten free lasagna which was AWESOME!) Nash told me it was going to make him sick.  I said, "one more bite."  He did as I asked then gagged and threw up all over his plate.  This is the second time he has done this with me and he also did it with Jason once.  I felt terrible and will definitely listen the next time he tells me he's had enough.  He has Jason's sensitive gag reflex!

Tub Time

I was able to snap a couple of really cute pictures during bath time today.  Nolan still likes to splash but has turned it down a few notches.  Bath time has not been quite as stressful recently as it once was.  Both boys love the water.  I'm already looking forward to the pool and sprinkler next summer!

Nash and Color Changing Mater

Nolan

Happy 1st Birthday Nolan Jace!!!

Nolan is one today!  So hard to believe.  He has changed SO much over the past 12 months.

His new favorite word is "WOW!"  He climbed 18 steps the other day at the speed of light pretty much (under Jason's supervision.)  I had no idea he could do that.  But then again, I never really gave him the opportunity.  He loves climbing the stairs but hasn't figured out how to get back down yet.  Over the last few weeks we completely switched him over to whole milk.  He liked the formula better.  He still loves his food.  We haven't been doing any baby foods for quite some time except for some occasional prunes.  Lately he has been grabbing for the spoon and wanting to feed himself.  It's so cute, but so messy.  He usually hits his nose or his chin first but eventually he hits his target.  He is pulling himself up on everything and is even pushing the kitchen chairs across the floor.  He is not able to stand on his own but is starting to get brave and let go with his hands sometimes.  Today he stood for about 6 seconds before plopping back down to the floor again.  He throws tantrums sometimes if he gets hurt or if he doesn't get his way.  Real tantrums.  The kind where he starts hitting himself on the head or beating on the floor.  It never lasts long though.  He still only has 3 teeth!  He naps twice a day with his blanket and pacifier.  He has started playing this game with me at nap time and bedtime.  I just started realizing it's a game.  I put him to bed and pretty soon he's whining again.  He never used to do that.  I've learned that it means he has thrown his pacifier and blanket out of the crib.  I let him whine for a while to see if he will go to sleep but eventually I'm back upstairs giving him back is comfort items.  Then he goes to sleep.  Whatever works.

He makes an elephant sound and raises his arm up like a trunk.  He moos like a cow and barks like a dog (but they sound pretty similar).  He opens and closes his mouth like a fish.
Nash is having a hard time understanding why Nolan gets to have a birthday and he doesn't, even though he knows when his birthday is..."Febawary twenty-third."   :0)

Nash "helping" me decorate Nolan's monkey cake

Nolan had a Curious George party. I know this isn't George but it passed Nolan's inspection.

Jason and Papa Rick

Everyone is making sure Nolan's gifts work properly

Great Grandma Phyliss watches as Nana and Nolan play with a new gift.

Family Picture: I think Nolan is in a sort of cake coma.

Dear Nolan,

You are an amazing little boy.  I could listen to your infectious laugh all day long.  I got tears in my eyes when I put you in your crib tonight because I can't believe you are one year old already.  You are doing things more independently each day.  I love to watch you figure things out.  You know what you want and you go after it...you can be very strong willed (you get that from your daddy).  When you smile and scrunch up your nose, my heart melts.   I love you to the moon and back Nolan Jace!

Love,

Mom

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

While the boys were taking their afternoon nap today, it started to snow.  It ended up being our first big snow of the winter season.  When Nash saw the snow he begged to get his snow pants and snow boots on so we could go out and play.  I got Nash all bundled up and then moved on to Nolan.  He doesn't like having mittens on so he started biting them to try to get them off.  I had to move quickly to get myself ready because I knew the snow would distract Nolan from his mittens.  He was so bundled up that he couldn't even sit up on his own, he kept tipping over backward!  Today was the first time that Nolan has ever really played in the snow.  He didn't enjoy playing in the snow as much as he enjoyed eating the snow, however.

Nolan amazed by the snow and no longer thinking about how annoying his mittens are.

This was Nash's idea, not mine!  We were going to give the shovel to him for Christmas but he really wanted to shovel some snow today.  Who am I to argue?  :0)

We had been outside for about 10 minutes or so and I heard Nash say the dreaded words.  Yep, I had made a rookie mistake!  He had to pee.  Why didn't I think of that before I spent 20 minutes getting us all ready?!  It's funny now but at the time it wasn't.   Eventually we were all back outside playing again.  Nash would have played outside all night if I'd let him.  I showed him how to make a snow angel and we ran around making tracks in the driveway.  Nolan crawled around a little bit but most of the time scooped snow into his mouth.

Nash, our little snow angel

Nolan enjoying a snow snack.  I think the temperature caught him off guard.

Jason and Will got the lights up last weekend.  Now we just have to find some time to go cut down our Christmas tree

Photo Shoot

Nolan turns 1 year old on Sunday so I took the boys to the mall for a photo shoot.  They did fairly well but I worked pretty hard trying to get them to both smile and look at the camera.  I was sweating before it was all over.  Here are a few of my favorites...