Here Comes Santa Claus

Meeting Santa
Checking Santa over

Nolan likes to wear Daddy's clothes

All bundled up for some sledding

Great G'ma Mary got a new TV on Thanksgiving and I got the box!

Nolan finally got to meet Santa for the first time last week! He was like any other 15 month old that was scared as could be and as Danny says, Nolan had a death grip on Dan while they walked up to him. There were some tears, but once Nolan got to eat some of the candy cane Santa gave him, they were friends. We might have been a little much for Santa, because as soon as we got our picture Santa left to go take a break. We all had a very good Thanksgiving as well. Nolan was great at both my Mom's and Danny's parents'. This past month Danny and I left Nolan for the first time for the weekend. We went to Omaha to watch Jake play. It was a fun trip, but I am pretty sure I will NOT be leaving Nolan for a while. I had a hard time being away from him. Sunday could not come fast enough. A few new things Nolan is doing: his short little legs have finally allowed to him to climb on and off the couch, he knows what the cow says, what the dog says, he tells Bauer and Daddy that they are silly ("tilly"), he enjoys sledding to Calvary's parking lot, he is still naughty and whiny only when Mom is around, he calls my mom Moooomm (how I say it), and I am MaMa. He is fun and very busy. Something new everyday it seems.

Hockey, Halloween and a HEARTBEAT!!!!!

I really didn't want my picture taken in my Lion Costume

but here is me and Bauer on Halloween
I think it's funny when Mommy puts her hair clip in my hair
Daddy doesn't think it's funny!
This is also my scrunchy nose smile

Climbing in my book basket...it's one of my new
favorite things to do.

Daddy helping me paint my name on my pumpkin

I am happy to become a big brother!!

It was a very busy weekend with the Sioux in town and all the trick-or-treating we did. Nolan went to the game on Saturday night and had lots of fun. He wasn't quit sure what to think of the starting line up and loud music, but it sure was interesting! We started out trick-or-treating around 4, and between the grandparents and friends' houses we stopped at we didn't get home until 7:30. Needless to say it was a long night, but we had lots of fun and Nolan slept great. He was a Lion, and thought it was funny to "scare" people. He really hated the car rides and the in and out of the car seat, but he thought it was worth it with all of the attention and great Halloween gifts and treats! Danny and I also had a very exciting day today. It was our first OB appointment for baby Marto #2!! We were so happy to hear the strong heartbeat. I forgot how fun it was to listen to that little heart. We are due May 16th, so Nolan and his brother or sister will be about 21 months apart. We weren't expecting to get pregnant so quickly, but we are thrilled and can't wait for our kids to be good buds. I am definitely expecting a very busy summer while I am off on maternity leave.

A few more quick notes about Nolan...he is going trough a naughty phase, but it is only for his mommy. He thinks it is so funny to pull my hare, scratch me and kick me. The bad part is that he thinks it is even funnier when I tell him NO! He loves to kiss mommy's baby. When I ask him if he is thirsty or wants a drink of water he replies with a "aaahhh". He likes to cheers with daddy. His bow-legs and pigeon toes are getting better! He eats and snacks all day long. He likes to do somersaults. He has a new scrunchy nose smile that Danny calls his evil smile. I am trying to teach him some sign language. He loves, loves, loves to give Bauer treats and he makes us laugh all the time!

Busy Man

I really love the car slippers my Gma B gave me.

They are fun to walk in!

Leaves are fun
It doesn't look like it here, but I had lots of
fun at my first Potato Bowl parade

A few of my 1 year pictures

Wow! It's been so long since I last posted that I don't even know where to start. Nolan has been busy being a happy, healthy toddler boy. I last posted after his first birthday and about a week after that we took the bottle away from him and he did great! I mush say that it was much harder on me not to rock him with his bottle, and is the main reason why he was still getting a bottle before bed. He transitioned from his lactose free formula to whole milk very well. He loves eating all the big people food, but isn't much for veggies, so we are working on that. He continues to run around like crazy...occasionally tripping over his pigeon toes! He is really talking a lot lately, it's mostly Chinese though so we don't understand him completely, but it's fun to communicate more with him. He loves to show off his teeth, which I am proud to say he got 2 molars over the past month. He can't get enough of being outdoors. We finally did take his one year pictures. It is hard to get a 1 year old to pose, but we got some fun outdoor pics. Dancing is also one of Nolan's favorite activities. He's got the high step down thanks to Daddy. We are looking forward to Halloween and dressing Nolan up as a lion. We have been practicing knocking on the door and saying "trick or treat" so I think Nolan will be ready! We are also looking forward to bringing Nolan to watch his uncle Jake play hockey. I am sure he will be entertained by all the noise and bright lights. He sure has enjoyed tailgating with Danny this football season. He sure likes to be around lots of people.

A Whole Year Old!!!

At Mall Of America...Nolan loves to help push the stroller...

because it means he doesn't have to be in it!
Wet t-shirt contest, anyone?

Birthday Boy cooling off

Yummy Cake! Proud parents too!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Not cooperating

We made it to the Warren Fair in July. He loved the animals

His smile can melt any one's heart

Finally!! We made it to the lake in July. Nolan loved the

water. He was like a fish!

On our way to the lake.

Gosh it has been a while since I last posted... Nolan turned 1 on August 21st! We had a party for him at our house and he had a blast! It was extremely hot, so all the kids (and Danny) cooled off in the sprinkler. Nolan participated in opening a few gifts, but was too busy playing. My lucky boy got lots of great gifts! We also turned his car seat around. He thought that was pretty cool! Dan and I took the following week off to spend together and we also took a few days to spend some time in the cities. We went to Albertville, Como Zoo and Mall of America. The trip was a lot of fun, but we learned that our 1 year old does NOT do well on long car rides. Dan and I got a really big kick out of how excited Nolan was to be in a hotel. That boy was like a kid in a candy store. He loved it until it was time for bed, then I think he wanted to be at home. His new favorite thing to do is kiss the "baby" in the mirror, or a baby in one of his many books. Now that school is starting, Nolan will go back to my aunt Holly's for daycare. I know he will miss Jenna, but I am sure he will be excited to play with all of his friends at daycare! He will be in for a big surprise when he has to wake up before 8. Overall, Nolan is doing great and is so much fun. He is a busy boy that is running everywhere! All he wants to do is be on the go or sit and read books. He is also a very good listener for a 1 year old and tries to be very helpful. He especially likes to help me vacuum! Enjoy some new pics!

First Steps!

WooHoo! Finally a big boy car seat!
My Big Boy Pjs

Haha Mom, I'm not ready for bed yet!

Stylin'

Mmmm...big people food is good!

Daddy and I being silly

Snuggling with my nanny Jenna

Books, books, and more books. I love my books!

Yes it is true! Nolan is taking some big boy steps all on his own. Once he figured out his push toy he got the courage to take some steps on his own. It seems like each day he adds a step. He can almost walk across the whole living room! Nolan is also sporting a new hair-do. We finally got his wings cut off. He thought it was pretty cool and flirted with the girl the whole time. We are pretty sure more teeth are coming, considering the past week we have had with sleepless nights and more beaver marks on the crib! But with all of these teeth Nolan has been getting (6 and counting...) eating big boy food is getting easier. If he has a bottle it is before bed and maybe before nap. Nolan is getting just about anything to eat and loves trying all of the new food. Num, Num! Also, after driving myself crazy researching convertible car seats, Nolan finally upgraded to a big boy car seat!

Almost Walking

Summertime

I love to swing at the park!

Big boy standing all by himself!

Happy

When you are 10 months old you want to eat the paper!

Ready to go for a swim

One of my new favorite activities...digging in drawers

Eating and driving

Nolan has hit the double digits turning 10 months on June 21st. He is having a great summer being outside, going to the park and even going swimming a few times. He continues to be a book worm and is content just reading all day. He is standing on his own and is thinking very hard about taking some steps. He has a few times taken a step or two, but he is still very cautious. He does like to run around holding on to our hands though. He is "talking" lots and we have identified his second word, Bauer, which actually sounds more like "Bow". Bauer is liking Nolan more and more now that Nolan shares just about all of his food with him. He also got his 6th tooth! My busy boy is growing way too fast!

Busy Boy

I can't get enough of the remote!
Happy to be 9 months

I just like to take the books out and make a mess

and I really love to read them too!

Mmmm that ice cream bar looks good

Jackpot!

My busy man is already 9 months old, and he is moving all over the place and is getting into EVERYTHING! He is so much fun and is learning so much everyday. He is most definitely a hazard in the tub, but he loves it and just leaves it up to me to make sure he doesn't crack his head open. He is really loving his books, and especially loves just taking them out of the cubby they are in. He also got his top two teeth in and has discovered how to grind them together...yuck! I don't know how he does it, but he must think it is a pretty cool discovery. Those teeth have also left their mark on his crib. Apparently he needs to chew on the crib before he falls asleep. We also decided to try to switch him to regular formula with lactose in it, but his belly is not ready for it, so I guess we need to stick to the lactose free formula. My cousin Jenna is starting to nanny for us after Memorial day. It will be nice to have someone come into our house and for Nolan to be able to sleep in and lounge in his PJs for a while. Hoping for a good summer!