Fun, Fun, Fun in the Sun!

Here's my little guy at ALMOST 6 months!!

This week, Nolan got sent home from Mother's Day Out on Friday because he had diarrhea. (I always think it's funny that bodily functions are so easily discussed when we're talking about a baby but, somewhere along the way, we stop being so easygoing about those kinds of things!) He continued to have it a few times a day throughout the weekend, but he otherwise seemed fine. While we're not sure since nothing has materialized, we THINK he might be getting a tooth. In addition to the aforementioned side effect, he's been a little cranky off and on and will all of a sudden start fussing and shove his hand in his mouth. He has these little episodes and then he's fine again after a minute or so. Like I said, we don't yet see an actual tooth, but I suspect that will change this next week. I looked in Bailey's scrapbook and she got her first one right at 6 months, so it's definitely in the realm of possibility.

In spite of the semi-sickness, we had a good holiday weekend. On Saturday, we went out to Tinker for the air show.

We had a good time and, when we were tired, headed for the exit. As we were walking, I wondered, "What is that long line for?"

Oh, it's the line to the exit that will then get you on a bus that will then take you to your car, you say?? OMG!!! And, I'm not kidding, this picture only shows 1/3 of the actual line. Fortunately, the kids didn't freak out too much - it could have been worse. When we first got in line, Bailey wanted to be held and said she wanted to go to sleep.....I thought we were in for some major trouble at that point. But, she soon decided it was more fun to talk to the kid in line behind us. Nolan DID fall asleep in my arms and I held him in a weird position so I could put my hat over his face (no sunburns for my kids!!) for about 30 minutes. I thought my arms were going to fall off. I finally just had to resign myself to the fact that he was going to have to wake up because I had to move my arms. Anyway, we were in line for about an hour. While it was something interesting to do, I doubt it will be first on my list next year.

On Sunday, we took the day off from church (don['t tell anyone!), ate donuts for breakfast (which we haven't done in ages) and then took the kids to the park to play at the Sprayground.

Even Nolan got in on the water action.

Monday was more water fun, as we hung out at Jeanne and Phil's where they had the swimming pool set up for Bailey. Once again, we decided to see if Nolan wanted to engage in the water activities. It's funny, when they first bought this pool a couple of summers ago, it seemed SOOO big. Now, it seems quite small.

When Jas first put Nolan in the pool, he wasn't too sure about it....

But he got used to it pretty quickly and enjoyed doing the same water tricks as Bailey!

Bailey was so proud of Nolan this weekend. One morning, she came running into the bedroom where I was folding clothes, saying "Nolan can TALK!!!" When I asked her what she meant, she took me in there where he was babbling, "mamamamama." She thinks he can talk now so she keeps trying to get him to say random words like "bubblegum." Here are some cute pics of the kids together. I think Bailey has inherited my "cheesy smile = squinty eyes" syndrome. Actually, now that I look back at the pic above with Nolan and me, perhaps BOTH kids have it! Smile.

Big news! We're gearing up for Bailey's big dance recital this weekend! I'm a little nervous because I don't know what she's going to do. Every time I ask her to show me portions of the dance, she claims she doesn't know it....OR she prances around doing something that I KNOW is not really in her dance. Anyway, the recital could go a number of ways. Here are the options - any forecasting?


a. She'll dance....just not in any way, shape, or form the way she's supposed to dance.

b. She'll surprise us and do the moves along with the teacher (who will be on stage with them).

c. She'll smile and play with her skirt the whole time like she's just happy to be there.

d. She'll stand there solemnly and pick her nose....and afterward tell everyone excitedly how pretty she danced.

e. She'll cry for mommy and refuse to go on stage, thus causing us to be out not only the $5 per ticket we paid to get in, but the $40 per month dance class tuition.


Regardless of how it all turns out, she'll look cute!! Her costume is so precious. Check back for pics!

Bonus Entry: What's in the Background?

One day recently, I started thinking about some of the funny things I've noticed in the background of the pictures I've posted here. It's interesting because most of the time we're focused on the overall look of the picture or the person in it. But, there are some noteworthy things that probably need some explanation....the good story is sometimes in the details! I've cropped some pictures to illustrate the embarrassing things you can learn about me and our family from the pictures I post here.

Here we go...

Why is there a flashlight in bed with Nolan? The answer? I don't know. There just is. Maybe there was a storm and we were worried about the lights going out the night before. Maybe someone's throat was sore so someone else needed it to check the tonsils. Maybe Bailey got under the covers and read a book. Who knows!

Yes, this is laundry piled on my bed. And, yes, it is a load of underwear. Nothing like showing your goods via the world wide web.

Cute girl, messy messy closet. At least there isn't overflow onto the floor, which is usually the case. I think this picture is pre-Nolan. Somehow a teeny tiny baby has added a great deal of laundry to our lives.

Scout's cage is set up in the background. Poor dog can't be trusted to roam the house anymore when we're not home so this lovely item has become permanent decor. You'll note it is flanked by a basket of toys Bailey never plays with but won't let us throw away, and our treadmill. Eye sores galore! And this room smells lovely (with a trapped dog and people running on a treadmill, why wouldn't it?).

This picture struck me as heeelarious since it's a recent one and I haven't even NOTICED (in real life) that we have a candle perched atop one of the coffee table decorations. Bailey is the resident duster and she obviously decided that this was the look she was going for upon placing the items back. In addition, the weird little white things are "Tattle Tales" which have historically kept Scout off our furniture while we were not home. I guess I can put those up since he's no longer allowed to roam freely.

Okay, that's it for today. Join me another day for a new installment of "Fun With Pictures!"

5 1/2 months and Sitting Pretty

And you thought it would never happen....another post and right on schedule! Now, if I can only get those bills mailed I'll be batting 1,000!!

This week, Nolan decided it was time to leave babyhood behind and sit up on his own. Oh wait, that's just how I FEEL about his new found skill. He's still a baby...for now, at least. So, here's the proof. And, as you can tell from the picture, the definition of sitting up on his own is really just not falling over for at least 10 seconds while mommy takes a picture.

And here, I've captured the nanoseconds before he did the inevitable nosedive.

Give him another week and I bet he'll be a pro. He also rolled over from back to front this week. He's been rolling the opposite direction for some time, but now he figured out the other move.

We had some fun outside this weekend since the weather was so great. I decided to put him in the baby swing at the park...mainly because Bailey wanted me to get her started on her own swing and I was having difficulty doing that while holding Nolan. I did it mainly out of convenience and then I discovered I could put a blanket behind him and swing him (gently). He liked it!




And Bailey got reacquainted with the sprinkler.

Look how happy he is!! I just love his little grin.




I've been trying for a few weeks now to get a picture of Nolan with his toe in his mouth. I know that's kinda gross, but every baby does it and I have one of Bailey and I just need one of Nolan, too. He must be embarrassed about the habit, as he stops every time I get out the camera. Close, but no cigar.

And, here are a few other pictures from the week. Since I started this blog, Bailey is very concerned with making sure there is at least one "sibling" picture. So, enjoy!!

5 Months: Long Time, No Blog

Hey, guys! Happy Mother's Day to all. I really have no valid excuses for the past few weeks of no blog activity, so I'll just get on with the post....

Here's my little monkey:

Nolan is just as happy as always. However, I now remember that I really don't like this time in a baby's life - the time when they are trying desperately to sit up by themselves, but just can't yet. Nolan is constantly fooling me into thinking that he can handle sitting up with the assistance of just a pillow. Then, however, he does a nosedive forward or to the side. He almost fell off the bed last night and I almost had a heart attack.

He's really been jumping a lot lately. Any time you hold him standing up in your lap, he engages in a little exercise....boing, boing, boing. He doesn't tire easily, either. You would think that my upper arms would be really strong. But, alas, I dont' think a 13 lb. baby really does the trick. Maybe if I did a few more reps......Anyway, we decided to get out the Johnny Jump-up and see if he could handle it.

Here's a picture of Bailey doing her new "job." I pay very poor wages at my underage sweat shop.


The following picture is a few weeks old, taken right after our first attempt at eating cereal. He doesn't yet really understand the swallowing process, so we're gonna hold off for a little longer. He enjoyed spitting it out all over the place, though.


As I mentioned in a previous post, Bailey likes to stick a bunch of toys in with Nolan wherever he is. I think he's had enough...revenge will come soon.


Here's daddy's little Steeler's fan.


And, yes, Bailey helps us test the weight limit of all Nolan's items....nothing has broken....yet.


And, finally, here's just a few random pics of the family.







Peace.....