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!

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.

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 making your own?

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!

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!

Nolan's New Trick

posted by his dad

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! :)

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!!