Four years ago...

For some reason I had this idea that Nolan needed to make it to at least his first birthday before he had his first haircut. For some kids it works out great and their long locks add to their toddler charm. Unfortunately that was not the case for Nolan. So finally when he was eleven months Dan could take it no longer and gave the boy a haircut. When we look back at his pictures before the cut all he can do is ask me why. The haircut did look good but it was like an instant transformation from baby to toddler.So when Gwen's hair started to get long and a bit crazy in the middle after five months and Dan suggested a hair cut I didn't protest.

L is for leopard

Nolan has an amazing preschool teacher. I really look forward to see what is in his backpack every time he comes home because it isn't just a picture that he colored it is some elaborate craft or project. He just eats up the stories she tells and the things she does. One day we were coloring with markers and he took the lid off his marker and kept trying to make a sound with his lips and said "Miss Jana pops her lips when she takes the lid off her marker." A few days before Halloween they made goop and Nolan came home and told me we needed to go to the Witch's store to buy skeleton snot (elmers glue), ghost sweat (borax), witches blood (red food coloring), frog guts (green food coloring) and grinded up bat wings (glitter) so we could make some at home. We have a calender of what is scheduled for each day but Nolan never wants me to tell him, he wants it to be a surprise. Miss Jana has some amazing face painting skills, I would have loved to see a classroom full of leopards yesterday. Thank you Miss Jana and Miss Joan, you are the best!

Still smiling

Gwen has found her voice. She sounds like a little girl with lots of squeals, screams, and she even cries now. But she is still very happy and has plenty of smiles. She still amazes me that she doesn't get upset when I get her out of the bath or put her in her car seat. My day is made when I hear her laugh and get some of those sweet smiles.


For the months leading up to Halloween Nolan wanted to be a vampire ghost. I was very worried how I was going to pull that off. Then he changed to just a vampire, then Dracula, then a bat, then randomly one day superman and he stuck with it. Walgreens had a few Superman costumes but in a smaller size. I was running out of time so Superman's belt was a little high this year.

How has it been six weeks already?

Gwen wore the dress my mom made for me and that I wore over 30 years ago
What ever it takes to entertain him so I can shower I am game. My kitchen did smell like shaving cream for the rest of the day.
Gwen really wasn't in the mood for pictures but her brother sure loves her.
She really loves her dad and always has smiles for him.
Hanging out with cousin Loralei, Gwen is almost a month older.
All ready to go.

so sweet

Gwen was smiling while I was taking her pictures but my timing was always a few seconds off for the real cute faces. But she is so sweet and such a good baby.

Family fun

It has been great to have my entire family around these last few days. I haven't had much energy or stamina but they have been wonderful to help out with Nolan and he has really enjoyed the time he has spent with his grandparents and cousins. There has even been minimal cousin conflicts that he has instigated which is a miracle!

On Lauren's birthday we met at the park to celebrate but Nolan had been having so much fun he barely made it through lunch.
I remember going to the hospital and waiting for this girl to finally make an appearance. I can't believe it has been ten years!

Oakley spent many minutes examining Nolan trying to figure out what was going on. I don't think she has ever seen her cousin hold still.

We met at another park last night for some more family fun. Nolan worked on his leaping skills for a while.