Summer 2010

Well the summer has completely flown by without me having a chance to update my blog at all! So much has happened and I was too busy living life to stop and record all the happenings. This continues to be one of my major Mommy-guilt issues--You should see the boy's baby books (or lack there of!). I am hoping that with the new school year will come some time for me to catch up on these things (who am I kidding right?!)
Some of the highlights of the summer include:
Nick's 3rd birthday complete with cousins Trip and Mady spending the weekend to help celebrate! It was so much fun having that time with Trip and Mady! I can't believe Nicholas is 3 years old! Where did the time go?? Nolan also turned 6 months that same week. Happy 1/2 birthday baby!! When I took the boys to the doctor for their checkups, both had gained 4 pounds and grew 2 inches. Nicholas did that in one year, and Nolan did that in 2 months! My tiny baby is not so tiny anymore!
Nicholas took swim lessons for four weeks and did great. For some reason he had a little bit of separation anxiety at the start of each one as I sat off to the side but once he got over that he did great. The lessons have really helped and he's really improving with his swimming. He's putting his head under now and even swimming to us a short way without his swimmies on!
July 4th weekend was spent up at Grandad and Kaki's house with lots of family. Nicholas and Trip stayed for the weekend and had a great time.
The weekend of July 10th was my dear friend Nadine's wedding weekend. We spent the weekend down in Vinings (our old home as newlyweds) and Nick went to Aunt Lauby and Uncle TJ's and Nolan went to Mimi and PopPop's. It was wonderful to have that time with just Graham and our close friends--what a beautiful and fun wedding it was! But I sure did miss my boys, especially Nolan as it was my first time away from him. And of course he had a little cold too!
Before we knew it, it was time for Ashley and Jay's wedding! We started the week with a tribute to Papa on Sunday. A motorcycle group called Warrior's Watch Riders came and paid tribute to him and his service in the war. It was a surprise to Papa and many of his family and friends came out to support him. It was wonderful to see and Nick of course loved the motorcycles! The wedding events were so much fun and it was wonderful to be with all of our family. I think the weekend was perfect and the wedding itself could not have been more beautiful. Ashley was stunning of course in her dress and it was so amazing to be there to support Ashley and Jay as they begin their life together! I was so pleased that the boys didn't ruin the wedding and actually did very well. Nicholas did great walking down the aisle (without shoes on!) and both boys were quiet during the ceremony. At the reception, Nicholas was on the dance floor the ENTIRE night! We are going to be in BIG trouble with our little party animal in the future! Once I got over my nerves from the ceremony and then my Matron of Honor toast, I was actually able to have a great time. Just wish I hadn't made myself sick with worry beforehand! We could not be happier for the new Mr. and Mrs. Yarbrough! And I finally have a brother--yippee!
We ended the weekend by going to the aquairium with Kaki, Lauren, Trip, Mady and cousin Kristin. That was a great time and Nick loved it of course! Sadly after that we had to say goodbye to Kristin and Cece :(
That week Nicholas got to attend Dinosaur Camp at his school for the week. He LOVED being back at school and I loved having a little bit of free time with just Nolan. It's amazing how it seems so easy to go back to just one child!
Then this last week we went to Hilton Head for the whole week! It was an amazing vacation and I am so thankful for it. It was almost like we had two vacations in one. Mimi, PopPop, and Papa were there with us in the beginning from Saturday til Wednesday. We crammed as much into those days as we could with lots of beach and pool time and then our evenings we went out to our favorite seafood restaurants and shopping spots at Harbour Town, Hudson's and fireworks at Shelter Cove. We rented a bike with a kiddie cart trailer in the back to haul the boys around Shipyard. We loved riding our bikes to and from the beach. Nicholas loved the beach and so did Nolan. His favorite thing was eating the sand--I could not get him to stop! Nick had a great time swimming in the pool too. Graham and I even got to have a date and go to a movie one night. Then on Wednesday Mimi, PopPop and Papa had to leave to get back for work so it was then just our family of 4 left to enjoy the "beachhouse" as Nick called it. We took Nick to play putt putt golf for the first time which he LOVED and was pretty good at too! Graham played with Nolan strapped to him in the baby bjorn and he still won! We spent lots more time at the beach and pool and time at Shelter Cove watching the boats, shopping, and having a great dinner. It was a terrific family vacation and we are so thankful for the opportunity!
Nolan will be 8 months old in two days! I can't believe how fast this time has gone. He started sitting up on his own about 2 weeks ago. He is incredibly chubby and is already not fitting into some of the 12 month clothes!! He's still not crawling and doesn't have any teeth yet. I'm actually pretty thankful that he's taking his time on these things. I find myself so much more enjoying the baby time and do not want him to grow up fast at all! Whenever I think about how we are only 4 months away from him turning one, or the time when he's too big for me to wear him in the bjorn or sling, or too old for the bottle...all of these thoughts bring tears to my eyes! I am so in love with my baby and his giant smile and beautiful bright eyes. He is such an angel and has added so much joy to our family. With Nicholas I couldn't wait for him to reach each of the milestones and grow into the next phase and I feel I wished away his babyhood. I am enjoying every moment with Nolan and don't want it to end! One of the sweetest blessings has been watching my boys as brothers and the love they have for each other and the giggles that they share with each other. Nicholas is still a terrific big brother and does a great job of taking care of Nolan. What a gift they are to each other and to Graham and me! God is so good!
I will try and post some pictures from our summer soon!