Friday, September 30, 2011

Nolan-4 Months Old

{Pictures of Nolan dressed and ready to go to the doctor}

Little Nolan and I saw the dr. yesterday for his 4-month check up. He got lots of vaccinations but they were wise and gave him the oral one first, and then the 2 thigh shots at the same time! The nurses even counted '1..2..3' to make sure they poked my little guy at the same time. It was heart-wrenching and he gave me the 'how could you let them do this' look, but he was a CHAMP!

Weight: 18 pound 2 ounces 93 percentile
Height: 26 inches 80 percentile
Head: 17.1 inches 77 percentile

His head has grown a whole bunch! Well, the rest of him as grown too, but his head went from the 20 percentile to the 77 percentile. That's my boy!

It was also really fun to answer 'yes' to the following questions the dr. asked:

Is he rolling front to back and back to front?
Is he eating rice cereal and a fruit or vegetable once a day?
Is he waking up in the middle of the night? (SO reassuring! He's having a growth spurt.)
Is he laughing?
Is he reaching for things?
Does he respond to your voice?
Can he track an object across the room?
Will he turn his head if he hears your voice from a distance?

Nolan is such a great boy. The whole growth spurt, waking up in the night, thing had been throwing me for a loop because I thought his sleeping habits were due to bad mothering skills. So to hear that he's just hungry more often because those little baby parts are growing made me feel so. much. better. He's so healthy, so fun, and so perfect. Not a day goes by that we don't talk about Makenzie and I tell Nolan how much we love her, and how much she loves him, and he will always know that. What a blessing!

Happy 4 months little dude.

And happy General Conference weekend! We're so excited to hear our prophet!


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Nolan's New Trick (posted by his mom)

Collin is trying to teach Nolan obedience early on, so anytime I ask Nolan to do something (rub my feet, roll around with rags on his bum to mop the floor, eat his food, etc.) he immediately salutes me and says "yes ma'am". It's awesome.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Dear Moms, HELP!!!

Okay, we need to have the baby carrier chat. My sister in-law gave me a little carrier for Nolan before he was born and we used it and used it, but he outgrew it about 3 months ago, and I've put off getting a replacement long enough! I'm hoping it's not too late. Nolan is after-all 4 months old now, and maybe since he hasn't been used to being carried in a carrier he'll hate it, but by george it's worth a try! So, all of you baby-carrying moms...what do you recommend?

The Moby?

They Maya?
The Optave?

Or is there something better I should know about? I'm REALLY open to suggestions and I'm hoping to order a carrier by the end of this week, so let me hear what you have to say. ASAP!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Spending Our Time

I've been going a tiny bit stir crazy in our little apartment. Not that I don't love our home, because I do! But when it's rainy and chilly outside, we seem to be home more than usual. I suppose we should get used to it being that perhaps the coldest winter of our life will soon be upon us! Anyway, to pass the time, I've been doing little projects to make our house seem more like a home. Here are some things I've been working on.

At our stake conference the stake president spoke about having BFFs and how we should feel like all our friends are our BFFs and it really struck a chord with me. And since Collin's my very best BFF, I made this little poster to hang in our room.

Also, Sister Hunt from my hometown gave me some money for our baby shower that was SPECIFICALLY for a temple picture in Nolan's room. But when I started looking for a temple picture I realized that we have so many important temples to us, and so I couldn't choose just one! So I spent hours making this little poster that shows the temple we were sealed in, the temple in Collin's mission, the temple Collin and I attended often during our first 4 years of marriage, and others across the world. Also in stake conference the temple matron said that there is always a temple open around the world and therefore 'the sun never sets on a temple of the Lord'. I went with it! I'll use Sister Hunt's money for a great frame for the print!
And lastly, here is my dream design board for our living room. Some of the things we already have, like the chair and the couch, and other things I've found on Craigslist for cheap, or at Target where we have giftcards, and everything else can hopefully be hand made by me when I'm feeling crafty! Fun!



I've been spending my time thinking about house stuff. And Nolan's been spending his time under the couch.

We have the best life!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Nolan and Mommy take 2


Today, Daddy had a Skype meeting in our living room so Nolan and I were momentarily locked in the bedroom with strict instructions to be on the DL. It kind of worked. We giggled, screamed, watched Netflix, and took phone pictures. I love this little boy.

P.S. We have the nicest daddy on the block, and his instructions really weren't all that strict! :)

Monday, September 19, 2011

My Brothers Are Old!!

Today is my big brother Matthew's birthday. For his sake I won't tell you how old he is. :) Matthew is the brother that always kept me on my toes. A walk down the hallway at home was never just a walk down the hallway. It was usually a roping arena and if my little calf-heels weren't moving at an exceptional pace, he'd have me heeled before I knew it. Matthew was always quick to forgive, quick to ask for forgiveness, and behind that tough facade, he's a big ol' softy with a humongous heart. My most recent favorite memories of Matt are of 4 months ago when Nolan was born. Matt and his sweet wife Janis took amazing care of us during those 2 weeks we were in Idaho. Matt taught me a lot of things about babies that I'm still banking on today. Things like,

"Is he breathing? Then you're good"
"Bag Balm is the answer for everything"
and
"Sleep when the baby sleeps"

I figure he learned most of that stuff from his wife, but I'll give him credit on his birthday!

Anyway, Matt's an awesome brother, and he deserves an awesome birthday. So Matt, if you're reading this (which is totally debatable) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Happy

I had a late night meeting this week. Well, late night for me anyway. The meeting started at 7:30 and didn't end until 9:30, which put me home at 10:00 which was about an hour past my bedtime! But, this was a good break for me. I left the house at 6:30 with Nolan fed, and in bed fast asleep, I kissed Collin goodbye, and I had my first solo city experience. This made my momma very nervous, but I was looking forward to it. :) I took my time getting to the bus, and then walking to my meeting. I took this on my phone while I walked...

I love this city. It was a nice break to be outside and have a walk by myself to think and relax. The weather was perfect, and it felt good. Getting home felt good too though. And why wouldn't it, when this little guy is what I get to see when I come through the door!
I'm very happy with my life right now, and that's a good feeling!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

BOO YA

Dear Sibling-Folk,

I'm down a significant amount of weight since our last Biggest Loser discussion. How are YOU doing?

Como se dice "I'm gonna kick your trash" en espanol?

Peace.

Love, your sister

P.S. Collin's down an even more significant amount of weight, but I didn't want this to be about him. That's why the font is smaller.

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Boys

I love that when I get around to putting my phone pictures on my computer, most of my pictures are of Daddy and Nolan. Collin is such an incredible dad, and he's a champion at balancing school life with home life. And Nolan, well Nolan doesn't see anybody or anything else when his Daddy's in the room. In fact, I completely disappear when Daddy comes home. And that's just fine with me!



Thursday, September 8, 2011

A Look Into My Closet

I recently color-coded my closet and realized how happy it makes me that vintage is in. Because vintage (mostly) means modest and there's nothing more beautiful to me than a modestly dressed woman.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Miracles

I've seen a lot of miracles in my life lately and my wonderful mother in law encouraged me to write them down (especially one in particular) and though I do keep a notebook journal, I'm way too wordy to hand-write these things, typing is much faster.

The Miracle of Safety:
A few weeks ago we were in the market for a couch (Actually, we're still in the market for a couch, but that's beside the point), and so I woke up early one morning, made a list of about 9 thrift stores within 3 or 4 miles of our house, bathed and dressed Nolan, loaded up the stroller and headed out. I was on a roll and ready to shop without stopping until I found a perfectly cheap couch for our bare living room. It wasn't until I got to the first shop that I realized it was only about 10:00 and none of the shops on my list opened until 11:00. So Nolan and I dove into a few shops that had nothing to do with what we were looking for, and after a rather rushed morning to get out the door, a casual, leisurely stroll down the sidewalk, with no sense of hurry or rush, felt great. As we dipped in one shop and out of another we seemed to run into the same woman with a stroller several times. She seemed nice enough and we ended up walking down the sidewalk right behind her for quite some time. After what was close to a mile of walking behind her (keep in mind that we had nowhere to go and nothing to do for another hour, so we were not in a hurry and I was not feeling rushed, anxious, or anything but relaxed, really) we came to a red light and so we each stopped with our stroller rather than entering the cross walk. The other stroller-pusher was on her phone, and appeared to be writing a text message when suddenly the light turned green and we were authorized to walk in the cross walk. She didn't notice because she was texting, and although I wasn't annoyed, miffed, or in a hurry, I was compelled to go out and around her and begin crossing the street. Just as I was even with her, she realized she could cross and she started to go, but somewhere inside of me I found a rude version of myself and quite honestly without having any idea why I was doing it, I sped up and cut her off, only to walk in front of her through the cross walk. I immediately wondered what had gotten into me and why I passed her for no reason at all, and I even started feeling badly and a bit ashamed, when from behind me I heard the screeching of tires, followed by screams and a loud crash. I turned around to see a car driving through the crosswalk I had just come out of and then crashing into a fire hydrant just inches away from the woman and her stroller I had passed. I then had a feeling I had never felt before, it was a feeling of seeing Nolan's and my lives pass right before my eyes, and realizing that if I had not passed the woman in the cross walk, Nolan and I would have been hit by the reckless car. I stood there in shock for probably half a minute, when I realized the other woman just avoided death as closely, if not closer than I did. I ran back to her, she was angry, and shaken up, but assured me she was okay. I offered to stay with her but there was already a swarm of witnesses gathered around her and she said she felt comfortable and safe. Then she said, "I'm so glad you weren't still behind me". I left her, burst into tears, called Collin, but he was in class, so I tried to gain my composure but I had to call somebody. I dialed my mom, trying to be brave as to not worry her, but as soon as I heard her voice and started to retell the story, my emotions came flooding back. The entire story is one I will never forget, and something that has stuck with me vividly ever since. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over Nolan and me and that we were being protected by sources greater than our own. What seemed to be a rude and inconsiderate move of passing in front of the woman and her stroller, ended up being a push from the Spirit that saved our lives. I'm so grateful miracles still exist!!

The Miracle of A God Who Knows Us:
I love Chicago. I love riding the bus or the subway to get where I need to go. I love the fast-paced life on the streets, and the slow-paced life in my home. I love the weather, the scenery, the many activities and things to do, and I am so so grateful to be here, and to be happy. That being said, I can't remember the last time Collin and I had a Sunday dinner alone, without some form of family or extended family sharing the table with us. So, naturally, Sundays are a bit lonely for me. We've learned to cope by inviting friends and ward members over for Sunday dinner and that helps a lot, but this past Sunday, during church, I was really feeling home-sick for family, and in particular our parents. Just as I was sure I had my emotions under control, a senior missionary stood to bear his testimony and he immediately reminded me of my sweet father in law and the flood gates were opened, and my emotions came full force. I was longing for Collin's parents and my parents and my heart was heavy and sad. I realized that in Chicago we've made great friends with couples our age, but it was the companionship of somebody with the age and wisdom of our parents that I was really missing. The missionary was the last to bear his testimony and as soon as he sat down the bishop ended the meeting, we sang a song, had a prayer and no more then 5 seconds after the prayer was over, the woman sitting in front of me turned around. Her name is Sister Monson and she is about our parents' age. She looked at me and said, "Would you like to have lunch with me on Thursday?" I tried not to cry, but my eyes welled up with tears as I said, "I would LOVE to". We exchanged phone numbers and I walked away in awe of how quickly my desire and prayer for a parent-figure to fill the void of our parents was heard and answered by Heavenly Father. He knows us and He knows what is in our hearts and minds, and He does all He can do to make us happy. What a miracle! I'm so grateful.

The Miracle of Nice People:
Sometimes riding the bus with a stroller that we intentionally picked out to be larger and capable of carrying a lot, can be daunting. The stroller itself isn't heavy, but add $50 worth of groceries and a 17 pound baby, and my arms quickly become jello-like and insufficient, especially when presented with the task of lifting the load onto a bus. What makes the bus-riding journey even more intimidating at times is that when/if we physically make it onto the bus, I then have to lock the wheels in place while I pay for our ride, and then I have to find a place for us to sit. Like I say, we have a larger than normal stroller (which is PERFECT for our needs) and so the only place it will fit on the bus is in the handicapped seating area which is designated for people in wheelchairs. However, thankfully, there's an unwritten law that if there are no wheelchairs on the bus, the stroller gets that space. I can not count the times when I've had my stroller packed to the brim after a long day of trying to find cheap groceries and even cheaper entertainment and some scary looking citizen will drop their shopping cart full of stuffed animals and trash sacks full of clothing and soda cans to hurry over and help me lift the stroller onto the bus. Nor can I count the number of times I've had a bold old lady or outspoken teenager insist that those sitting in the handicapped seats (and are not disabled) get up and move so the lady with the stroller can sit there. I've even had the bus driver throw the bus in park, help me on the bus, order his passengers to make room, and then lift the seats himself to make room for Nolan and me. 9 times out of 10 I get off the bus crying my eyes out, out of pure gratitude and amazement at the raw kindness of people. Grocery stores are a particularly hard place to maneuver. Mainly because I can't store the stroller somewhere ad be certain that it won't be stolen, so I use it as my shopping cart which means that when it's time to check out, I have to unload the groceries from the bottom area of the stroller, which makes getting items like watermelon out, very difficult. And almost always, Nolan is worn out at the end of a shopping trip and is fussing. So I'm usually bending down and reaching up from the stroller to the conveyer belt, one-handed. The last time I was at the store I had packed the stroller as full as I could possibly get it, in hopes to never have to return the store again. I got in line at the register, and as was to be expected, Nolan was fussy. I tried to unload, console, and hurry as best I could. Then came a man who was probably 75 or 80 and he started unloading the stroller for me. I tried and tried to tell him he didn't need to do that and his response, in true Grandpa Tom form was, "The doctor says I need the exercise to help with my arthritis so you're actually helping me". I began to cry as we formed the most efficient assembly line there ever was! I asked him his name, it was Ben, I told him 'thank you' a billion times, and he, being the smart man he was, went and got in a check out line at the other end of the store! Things were going great until I realized I was going to have to pack the bottom of the stroller the exact same way I packed it the first time, or everything would never fit, and me being the awesome person I am, there was ice cream to keep frozen. I convinced the cashier not to bag my groceries (I would have thought this would have been easier), and I started one-handedly trying to reload the stroller as best I could. Soon all of the groceries were scanned, I had paid, and my receipt was in hand, but about 75% of my groceries still sat on the grocery desk, waiting to be loaded in my stroller, and a line was forming. The woman behind me in line was dressed in her workout clothes and I was worried that she was going to be super efficient and in a hurry. Instead she said, "How old is your baby?" I could hardly hear her over his crying, but I told her, and then we had the most amazing talk about raising children and doing hard things. I quickly noticed that she was unloading her cart very, very slowly as to not rush me and make me feel uncomfortable, and all the while she was holding a conversation with me telling me how good of a job I was doing being a mom. I finally finished loading the stroller and I wanted to run over and give her a hug and tell her how much her kindness mean to me, and looking back, I wish I would have, but I just told her 'thank you' over and over, and headed for home. As soon as I reached the parking lot a box of cream cheese and a package of steaks fell off my stroller and I rolled right over them! I realized I had an audience and so I just said, "Well at least I don't have to soften my cream cheese now," and kept walking. Later in the week we had very flat steak on our shish-kabobs. :) But I wasn't worried about the steak or the cream cheese because my heart was so full from the kindness of the people I had encountered. I am so, so grateful for kind people and I know they're little gifts from my Heavenly Father to help get me through hard days. I've decided to create thank you cards the size of regular business cards, and keep them in my pocket so I can hand them to people who help me. I always wish I could send those kind people a thank you note, but a generic thank you card will have to do, since asking for a stranger's address probably isn't the best idea. :) I know that my hard days are nothing in the grand scheme of things, but in the moment they're always a big deal and I'm so grateful for kind people who help make the days easier.

Miracles still happen, every single day! And I'm so grateful for them in my life.

Monday, September 5, 2011

The Many Faces of Nolan

We read a statement by President Kimball the other day that said something the the effect of "families should have kneeling prayer together every day". Well, we already have our family scripture study down to a science:

and we were really great at having family prayers, but not all of us were kneeling. So...we got right on that.
That poor kid endures his parents like a champ! We love him! :) I mean how could we not. Look at that face:
And this face:
He's such a doll baby and we are happy campers over here in Chicago-land!

Our Labor Day will be filled with very little labor (except Daddy who has school stuff to do) and we're hanging out in our comfies and being lazy all day. I think we've captured the concept of Labor Day perfectly!