Second Annual Cookie Party

The Bignons hosted us again this year for the Second Annual Baby Brigade Cookie Decorating Extravaganza! It was so much easier last year for the mommies to participate but all the big kids enjoyed getting nice and sticky this time around! We had delicious sugar cookies, spritzes, and gingerbread cookies plus icing and lots of sweet toppings! Same as last year, Carter only decorated one cookie before he had enough and was ready to play again! We were joined by new friend Lauren and her son Cullen and hope they will become regular fixtures as the Baby Brigade continues to grow and change!

Beth and baby Kinley watched as the big kids got nice and sticky!

Ms. Lauren got her fill of baby Nolan snuggles and Cullen got in lots of play time too!

Spencer, Bennett, Nicholas, the twins, Kayden, and Carter all had fun!

Trenton rode off his sugar high while Kayden, Nicholas, and Carter took to the outdoors!

Such a fun day and perfect weather to run off all those yummy cookies!

And just for fun- here are Carter, Spencer, Nicholas, and Kayden this year and last. Writing this post I thought they would look SO different, but really everyone’s hair is just longer hahaha They definitely all look more mature and I can’t wait to compare to next years picture too!

Nolan- One Month Old

Baby Nolan turned one month old on 12/11 and we cannot believe how fast the month flew by! It seems like he’s been a part of our family forever but at the same time it’s hard to imagine four weeks have already passed. I tried to think of a fun way to capture his monthly photos and the changing table won out. It will be fun to see how much longer he gets as the months pass and hopefully it is a pose I can actually get him in for the next year. I’m sure eventually I’ll need a spotter when he learns to fling himself off the dresser but for this month I had a very willing subject who happened to stretch at the perfect moment! So what’s it like being one month old? Read on to see…

At one month old Nolan:

• eat, sleeps, and poos like it’s his job
• smiled for the first time
• started talking/cooing and working his lungs
• had his first cold :(
• sleeps in our room either in his pack n’ play or in bed next to me
• hates tummy time with a passion and pretty much screams the whole time
• loves his brother and lights up when C starts talking to him
• wears 3 month clothing and size 2 diapers
• uses the swaddle for night time and for naps if we’re home
• probably weighs upwards of 14 lbs

Carter has perfected his “up to no good” face!!

Love these little men :)

We love you sweet Nolie-polie!

Blessed

I always knew I wanted to be a mom but looking at these boys I cannot believe how incredibly blessed Lincoln and I are. Life with C was amazing but when we found out we were unexpectedly expecting again I was very nervous. We were perfect just as we were…or so I thought! When Nolan arrived, it was like a piece of our family puzzle was put into place and our lives were complete! He brings so much joy and laughter to our little family and I thank God every night for these sweet, precious babies. I am so grateful He has given them to us and hope we can do everything possible to help raise them into amazing young men.

“From the fullness of Grace we have received one Blessing after another!” John 1:16

Teaching his baby brother the ways of the world.

Merry Christmas!

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!

Santa Carter

Oh Christmas Tree

Getting Our Christmas Tree- 11/28/12

After the disaster of last year’s tree knocking over not once, but twice (how did I not blog about it??) and emptying the entire contents of the water holder all over our hardwood floors we debated even getting a tree! But since it is Nolan’s first Christmas and C is really starting to understand what holidays are all about, we figured it wouldn’t feel right not to have a real tree! We headed to our neighborhood Lowe’s and picked out a nice petite tree to go in our kitchen. C had such a good day that we surprised him with ice cream for dinner and even though it was a quick evening, I’m glad we went!

With a new baby and a wild toddler to tend to, hanging ornaments on the tree took a backseat. Christmas cards started arriving and needing somewhere to put them, I stuck the cards in the tree! Voila! A Christmas Card Tree was born and not only helps the tree look decorated but gives me a great place to display all of our family and friends festive creations! I have already decided we’ll have a tree just for cards every year, even if it means buying more than one ;)

All our stockings hanging on the mantle!

I saved a few of my favorite cards from last year and added them to our tree.

We also added a few special birth announcements so they could be displayed too!

Two Week Well Visit

Seventeen Days Old ~ 11/28/12 ~ 12lbs 5oz ~ 23in long

Do you see those stats up there? Apparently I breed line backers. In a timeframe when most babies are just reaching their birth weight, my little chunk gained nearly two pounds!! Two pounds in two weeks and an inch and a half longer. I can’t even imagine what Nolan will weigh at his two month check up! Our doctor said I must be feeding him straight butter! hahahaha there is no doubt he is one healthy boy!

How do we stay entertained while waiting for the doc? Snap lots of cell phone pics!

All tucked in after a busy morning. Love those precious leg warmers!

Gingerbread Houses

First Annual Cousin Gingerbread House Party- 11/24/12

During Thanksgiving vacation Hattie had the great idea to have the boys decorate gingerbread houses. We grew up doing this with our friends and family and it was an annual tradition we enjoyed even until our college years! Carter was mostly interested in eating the various “decorative” food items and I may have indulged on some icing covered pretzel sticks myself! Even though his house required a bit more help from mommy than I had intended, the finished product was quite fun! Nathan got the hang of things quickly and was very careful in his placement. It was a great cold weather activity and I’m looking forward to next year to try it again!

Daddy and Nolan rested while we decorated and after all

that sugar C needed some nakie ipad time hahahah

Scrub a Bub

~ Carter’s first bath ~ Nolan’s first bath ~

Nolan’s umbilical cord fell off when he was ten days old and he got his first tub bath a few days later! He sat so quietly while Linc and Carter scrubbed him from head to toe. I love how involved Carter is and how willing he has been to help out. He is such a sweet big brother and is a great assistant!

~ Nothing better than a freshly scrubbed bubs! ~

Brotherly Love

November 25, 2012

Nolan seems to love the funky farmyard as much as big brother Carter did when he was that age! Luckily C was on hand to teach his little baby the ropes and share in some heart melting moments. These are the times that reassure me that we have not ruined C’s life and he will come around. Don’t get me wrong, he loves his brother, but this transition to a family of four has not been easy on him! That’s a post for another day though…in the meantime enjoy this photographic evidence of brotherly love!

“Want me to come up there Nolie? Ok!!”

~ Brothers holding hands ~

~ Carter at 4 days ~ Nolan at 14 days ~