Nolan David: 11 Months

Nolan David, the 11th month has come and gone. This month I told daddy over and over again I wish I could freeze time. I have loved our quiet days at home with you and your sister. I have treasured these moments in my heart so very much, and I look forward to all the days, weeks, months, and years to come. I just love being your mommy!!

This month brought some new firsts for you including your first bad sickness. After we got home from Christmas festivities, you got RSV and your first ear infection. It was rough. Your cough was horrible and you just weren't yourself. I took a picture of you just laying on the living room one day because you never just lie on the floor without moving...unless you are alseep or feeling really sick. Thankfully we got you medicine, and you were more like yourself within 24 hours. It was such a relief to see you smile again.

You topped the charts this month at 24 pounds. I am still amazed that you are 24 pounds with nursing as your main food source. You are still not interested in solid food...maybe a couple cheerios here and there and sometimes blended baby food makes it into your tummy, but not consistently.

You still loved to wave and point, and it was so cute to see you practice over and over. You also discovered the fish face all on your own. It made us laugh every.single.time! You learned how to climb the stairs this month, and you accomplished that task on your first try...with a ball in your hand. Books finally caught your interest (at least ones that make noise), and I loved seeing you flip through the pages.

You still love watching for cars out the window. You pointed to every car you saw and some you didn't see. And you still love balls! You have gotten even better at throwing and catching. And one night, you fell asleep with your basketball. It was also fun watching you play with your new Christmas toys.

Thank you Auntie Stephanie and Uncle Bill!!

I think my favorite parts of this season of life, have been the quiet days at home together as a family. It has filled my heart with so much joy to see the love you have for your sister and your daddy. You and Katherine have had the best time chasing each other around the house. Making each other laugh has become a favorite activity for you both :)

This Month: 

You Liked:

-Wathcing for cars out the window

-Climbing the stairs 

-Chasing after a ball

-Playing with cars and trucks

-Smiling

-Belly Laughing

-Pulling off your socks 

-Looking through books

-Waving and clapping

-Chasing your sister

-Army crawling

-Playing hide-and-seek with blankets 

You Disliked:

-Bottles

-Pacifiers

-Ear infections

-RSV

Sweet Nolan, before you turn one...

-I want to remember the way you get so excited when you see a car.

-I want to remember the joy you get from chasing your sister around the house. 

-I want to remember the way you look up at me and smile while you are reading your books. 

-I want to remember your snuggles.

-I want to remember the way you fall asleep in my arms.

-I want to remember the way you crawl into my lap just to be held. 

Nolan, you are loved!! 

Nolan David: 10 Months

10 months was a big one for you, bubba! From a long roadtrip to celebrating your first Christmas, we packed this month full of memories. You will notice I only got 2 weekly pictures taken this month, because it was very difficult to keep you in one spot. But that doesn't mean you didn't grow each week. This month you weighed in at 23 pounds and 29 1/2 inches long. Your cheeks and thighs were still as chunky as ever :)

The cold weather really set in at the beginning of December, but thankfully a friend let us borrow a bearsuit to keep you warm...and it was adorable! Your daddy and I thought you looked like a little Ewok!! December also goes down as the month you learned to pull yourself up in the crib. You also finally started drinking water out of sippy cup...not milk mind you...just water. Still, this was a huge milestone since you don't take a bottle. You still loved eating crackers this month, but never wanted to touch table food. You also discovered your love for all things cars and trucks. The window in the living room quickly became a favorite place of yours. And while looking out that window, you saw snow for the first time!!

The tail makes the suit!

We had the best time celerbating your first Christmas with our little family before church one Sunday morning. You loved playing with the wrapping paper. Your sister picked out the Itsy Bitsy Spider book for you, and you loved it. 

Katherine looks like she is saying, "Nolan, mommy and daddy said smile!" 

Mimi and Papi came up to visit and brought your sweet cousin along with them to take in some Storm Lake Christmas traditions. Visiting Santa was a tradition you didn't like...neither did your sister. I don't blame you, but we still had fun. 

The elf in the background is my favorite!!

Katherine went to Mimi and Papi's house for a couple of days, so we got you all to ourselves again this month. We captured your giggles one night, and I played the video on repeat for many days! We then headed to Council Bluffs to join the rest of the family for a Kreger Christmas. I loved seeing Christmas through your eyes, and you graciously let Katherine open all your presents. Mimi made you an awesome football quilt, and Papi made you a name puzzle. Your favorite was letter the O. You grabbed it every time you played with the puzzle. Those grandparents of yours amazed us with their skills once again!! Good thing they are retired so they can spend all their free time making things for the grandkids ;)

Nolan is thinking, "That is not my sister?!" 

Not long after Kreger Christmas, we hit the road for a 12-hour trip to Ohio. We split the trip up into 2 days. You and your sister did awesome!! You napped, ate, and played on schedule. We stayed in a hotel at the half-way mark, and you got to go swimming for the first time. You LOVED it!! You slept well that night, but woke up super early. So we snuck out to the lobby and hung out by the fire. You ate cheerios and watched people for 45 minutes...happy as ever :) 

Christmas in Ohio was such a fun time. Your grandparents were overjoyed getting to see you! This was the first time you had met most of your extended family, and they all loved getting to meet you and hold you and squeeze you. It took you awhile to warm up, but soon you were showing off your army crawl, palming balls, and lifting very large toys :) One of my favorite memories was getting to see you meet Grandma-Great for the first time!

Uncle Tony telling us about the true meaning of Christmas. 

"What?! I got a football and an Ohio State book?? My grandparents know me so well!"

You also had your first haircut thanks to your super talented Uncle Aaron! We weren't sure how it was going to go, but you loved it and didn't move a muscle. You were so relaxed you almost fell asleep :)

It was hard to leave and say good-bye, but we were so thankful for the week we got to spend in Ohio. We left super early in the morning so we could make the drive home all in one day. At one point, you decided daddy needed some assistance with the driving and took over at the wheel!

Doesn't everyone drive in their jammies??

This Month: 

You Liked:

-Wathcing for cars out the window

-Rolling a ball 

-Chasing after a ball

-Playing with cars and trucks

-Smiling

-Belly Laughing

-Pulling off your socks 

-Chewing on spoons

-Taking baths

-Swimming

-Chasing your sister
-Army crawling
-Playing hide-and-seek with blankets 

You Disliked:

-Bottles

-Pacifiers
-Teething

As this month came to close, I want to remember the everyday moments of life with you.

I want to remember the way your smile makes your nose scrunch.

I want to remember the way you scoot around the house in your little walker.

I want to remember how fast you army crawl from one end of the living room to the next.

I want to remember the way you fall asleep in my arms. 

I want to rememeber the little dimples on your hands. 

I want to remember the look of joy on your face when you see cars out the window. 


Nolan David, you are loved!