Tammy's Visit

I am so happy that Tammy came to visit us in Nashville! We had lots of fun- watching the kids play together, going to Chuck-E-Cheese's, going to the Grand Ole Opry, going to the Zoo, at Brennan's school program, scrapbooking, and just hanging out.

It was amazing how well the kids really played together. Carlee and Nolan chased each other around the house and were constantly talking to each other in baby gibberish. In fact, when we got back from dropping them off at the airport this morning, Nolan ran around the house carrying a toy and looking for Carlee to play with. When he couldn't find her, he went into the guest room and cried- how sad for him!! They were constant companions and partners in crime- here's a picture of them sitting on the bottom shelf of my sofa table- right where they are not supposed to be!

They even played well in the tub- that is, until Carlee tried to drown him by dumping water all down his face. Even then, Nolan just laughed. I think he's got a crush on her!

Brennan and Kayden were just as buddy-buddy. Everyday Kayden would ask when Brennan was going to be home from school so they could play outside on the swing set together. Kayden wanted to do whatever Brennan was doing and Brennan wanted to eat whatever Kayden was eating. Kayden even wanted to go see Brennan perform in his class program- and he was so good during the entire thing! They were such characters this week.

Workin' at the Car Wash

This weekend, Don decided to wash our cars- I missed the washing of Don's car because I was taking a nap with Nolan, but we got in the action for my car. As soon as Nolan saw the water, he wanted to go outside (I swear this child is a fish or was a fish in his previous life). The only way I could keep him from running in the street was to strap him into his car stroller. He LOVED it! When the water was on him, he was laughing and giggling- so cute. When we used the water to wash/rinse the car, he would start screaming/crying until he was being sprayed with it again. Meanwhile, Brennan was riding his bike around the car and Nolan, trying to avoid getting soaked- such a fun game. All of this went on for about thirty minutes. By the time the car was clean, Nolan and Brennan were both soaked and shaking, but Nolan still cried when I brought him in. That is, until he saw that we were getting in the bath tub, then it was pure joy. Such a FISH!

Once Bitten, Twice Shy?

When Papa and Gigi were here this past weekend, we noticed a few bites on Nolan. One on his ear (which looked the worst) and one on his index finger. I thought they were mosquito bites- that is, until the one on his hand started turning purple/brown. It really freaked me out! In my fit of panic, I took him to the ER to get it looked at because earlier that day, the Orkin man found a couple of black widows while spraying. I thought my baby was going to lose his finger or hand!

Turns out, I freak out over everything. Nolan did have spider bites, but not the extremely poisonous ones (like brown recluse or black widows). The Doctor said that he was probably allergic to the bite and that was what was causing the discoloration and swelling. He prescribed an antibiotic in case it got infected and a topical steroid to help the cells regrow quickly/stop the itching. The antibiotic was where I thought I would get the most hassle from Nolan, but he loves the cherry flavor and always wants "Mo, Mo" after getting it. The cream is the issue. The first night I put it on, he tried to taste it, so I put a band-aid on. He pulled the band-aid right off. So I used medical tape- he was more angry about the stickiness than anything! The only thing that I found that he wouldn't yank off and couldn't suck his finger was an ACE wrap. So, while it may appear my son has a broken/sprained wrist, that is not at all the case. He is just fine- except when he sees me coming at him with the cream and wrap. Then he runs!!!

Where are my shoes?

I think that the #1 question asked in our house is "Where are my shoes? They are NOT where I left them." I know that Nolan has a slight liking of shoes- doesn't matter whose they are or how bad they smell, Nolan will play with them.

I was taking a shower and when I got out, the above pictures are what I found. Normally, our shoes are very organized so we can find them. When I walked into the closet, Nolan had taken all of mine and Don's shoes and piled them as high as they could go inside my shoe rack. He was so silly trying to stack the shoes up and he would get so mad when they wouldn't go very high!

The really crazy thing about this is that Nolan REFUSES to wear shoes! He only wants to play with them!

Every Boy needs a Dog

This past weekend, Papa and Gigi came to visit with their dog, Dixie Belle. Nolan LOVED this dog- as you can tell! Dixie would let Nolan walk her around the entire house and Nolan was in heaven- Doesn't every boy deserve a dog?

Note: More Pictures to come of this weekend

Brennan's a 1st Grader!

(I'd like to state, for the record, that I did not cry this year.)

School Supplies: $35

School Clothes: $93

School Shoes: $77

1st Day of School Excitement: Priceless!!

Brennan was SO excited to start 1st grade (Look at his face when he got on the bus!). We went shopping last week for supplies and clothes, but all he really cared about were what shoes he was going to get. He ended up getting the cool new shoes with rubber balls in the heel (I don't really understand it, but it is the cool thing I guess). Both Brennan and I were up before the alarm this morning; Brennan because he was excited, me because Nolan was screaming! I decided that we would make blueberry muffins and eggs, both Brennan's favorites. It reminded me of my 1st day of first grade. Getting up super early and my dad making me eggs and warm milk to calm down my nerves. I can even remember the pink shirt that I was wearing. I hope Brennan remembers his excitement and joy.

I know that he's going to enjoy his class this year. We met his teacher, Ms. Smith, on Friday. All he could say after he met her was "She's so nice!" I hope that he really enjoys this year and learns a lot. The only thing that I think he's going to have trouble with is the longer days. Here, they start school at 8:45 and end at 3:40, but the bus picks him up at 7:35 and drops him off at 4:30. It's like he's going to work for all day! So much longer than last year when he left at 7:15 and was home at 2:30. I hope he adjusts. When I mentioned that he'd need to get more sleep at night, he said that he didn't need more sleep. If he got tired, he'd just sleep during nap time. I told him that in first grade, there isn't nap time. He looked at me with a very serious look and said "What kind of school is this? No nap time? But what if I'm tired?" I told him that he was a big boy now and he didn't need naps, just to get more sleep at home. He really didn't like that idea!!

Baby Update

Just to let everyone know:

The baby is due January 29th. I'll be having a scheduled C-section on either the 22nd or 23rd, so the baby might share the same birthday as Nathan!

I'll also have my 20 week ultrasound on September 5th and I'll let you all know then what we are having!