A Superhero Birthday!

Wow I realize I haven't posted since announcing Foster's birth but as you can imagine it's been crazy around here. We've been adjusting to becoming a family of 5 and also having Nolan start Kindergarten. Life is changing, and we're trying to settle in a new routine.

At the beginning of August, we celebrated Conley's 4th birthday party. The theme was a Superhero theme, and it was lots of fun at our local splash pad!

And this guy turned one month old at the end of July!

Happy September friends!

Natalie

From Dallas to a 5th Birthday Party!

Hello October! Right now the leaves are changing colors, and there is a briskness in the air which means my favorite time of year!

I started the month off at a conference in Dallas for KMB and spent some quality time with the City Moms Blog Network owners! Many of the ladies I met last year, but I was so happy to meet some new faces this year!

Then yesterday we celebrated Nolan's 5th Birthday a little early with our playgroup friends! He asked to have it at the house, so we had a Lego party with pizza!

Happy Early Birthday my sweet boy!

Natalie

My Wish for My 4 1/2 Year Old

As the year progresses, I can't believe by the end I'll be a mother to a 5 year old. The one that made me a momma, the one who steals my heart everyday.

As I watch him grow, I find myself having wishes for him and his future.

I hope you hold onto your innocence and wonder of the world as long as possible. The world can you make you jaded, and I happen to like viewing it through your rose-colored glasses. You always try to play with the older children and even when they are trying to push you away you don't take it personally or realize that they don't want to play with you. You see no race, color, gender, or class. You just see the joy and fun.

I hope you always make friends so easily. You seem to have a gift of making friends--and being the tallest and biggest child you seem to befriend the smallest ones. However you love keeping up with the big kids too, and they seem to embrace you. The world is a happier place when you have friends surrounding you.

I hope you always enjoy reading and books. I loved books as a child and would get lost in one. I'd love to share this love with you. I really believe reading can help you excel in school so not a bad hobby to pick up.

I hope you continue to have empathy for others. You truly feel emotions for those in need or pain. You are my sensitive guy and while at times this can cause you to be upset over small things, it also causes you to have a big heart for others.

I hope you always have your creative imagination and your quest for knowledge. You seem to love to learn about new things and how they work.

Above all, I hope you have find true happiness and joy in life. Don't ever lose that smile or twinkle my boy.

Natalie

The Year of Four So Far

Last week and the week before we celebrated Nolan's fourth birthday. It's crazy to think that I've been a mom for over four years. It just goes by soooo fast.

Nolan at four is so far a really fun age. We really struggled a little after 3 1/2 with his need to voice his independence. But recently, we've been able to leave fun places without a tantrum. The dread I used to feel about rounding him up from school or playground has subsided. Could it be....could we be past that stage? Fingers crossed my friends, fingers crossed.

Tidbits of Nolan at four:
-Super sweet boy that loves to give compliments: "You look pretty mommy," "I love that shirt mommy," or "You smell nice." He always surprises me with his vocabulary and the way he uses phrases properly.

-He has great manners! He says please and thank you or that was very nice of you mommy. (Don't get me wrong plenty of demanding moments too!)

-He's a worrier. It's funny how your own words can be used on your or your other child. "Mommy be more careful," or "That could be dangerous," are some phrases that apparently I have used that come back at me in other moments.

-He loves talking about storms, rain, tornados, tropical storms, and all those types of weather related news. We used to have to watch The Weather Channel, but for now we are past that stage.

-He loves his brother. As much as they bother and pester each other, when they are doing separate activities or one goes with the other parent or grandparents they cry for the other to go. It's sweet to see even if it hampers your plans.

-He has such an imagination! He's always coming up with stories and songs. He's really enjoying the spooky Halloween season!

-His favorite shows are Octonauts, Sheriff Callie, Mickey, Handy Manny, and Bob the Builder.

-He's still a huge fan of construction trucks and all things emergency vehicles. His new favorite is his huge crane truck as he loves tying things together.

-He's still not a huge fan of drawing, coloring, or painting. He's good for about 10 minutes, and he's ready to clean up and move on.

-He's still huge! We haven't been to his four year appointment yet but this boy is probably over 45 inches in height and 43 pounds! He seriously looks like a 6 year old.

I'm super excited to see him grow in this next year. I think four will be the best year yet!

Natalie

Happy 4th Train Birthday Party!

Happy Friday friends! While Nolan's official birthday isn't until Monday (I'll share a little more about my four year old then), we celebrated a small train birthday party with our playgroup.

We've had several bigger parties before, but this year decided to take it down a notch. Nolan said it was the best yet! He kept saying how he loved his birthday decorations. He really can be a sweet boy. Maybe we're entering the "favorable fours?"

So today I'll just leave you with a short post with photos! I pretty much kept it simple. I ordered a printable design for the birthday banner (and it really turned out so cute!)

The snack table had popcorn with free printable stickers I found online, a pennant banner and cupcake toppers, and as a party favor everyone received a bandanna and train whistle! (all from Oriental Trading)

This almost four year old had a blast at his train birthday party!

Natalie

Fun Fall Festivities!

Happy Friday my friends!

This week we received the kids school photos from their Mother's Day Out program. I really didn't expect them to be good, but I must say I love them! How are my boys old enough to have school photos???

They actually have another one of Nolan actually smiling. In the above photo is his classic "No I don't want to take a picture!"

Last weekend we attended a birthday party for Ethan at a pumpkin patch. You might recognize Laura from her former blog My Thoughts Uninterrupted. She's not writing anymore because of her new business Pop of Happy. You really should check out her shop as she has great home decor and party items. Ethan's birthday party was SO CUTE! Her theme was a farm theme with apples, popcorns, and old pickup trucks. Unfortunately it was very windy so she couldn't hang all her decorations BOO! 

We had a station to season our own popcorn and add delicious toppings to our apples. She always has the most creative ideas!

The pumpkin patch was huge and so much fun! All the kids loved running around, climbing on hay, picking out pumpkins, and even seeing a pumpkin launched from a cannon and blown up!

Do you make an annual trip to a pumpkin patch? 

Natalie

Giving Grace to My Boy

Lately little Nolan has acting more like a threenager than a 3 1/2 year old. He's always been mild mannered but also on the emotional side.

You know what I'm talking about. The crying over things that you can't believe they are crying about--for instance jumping out of a helicopter. And no we haven't gotten super adventurous and forced him to jump out of a helicopter. He's just started saying that he's scared to jump out of one.

The usual offenders are still there. The transition of leaving a fun place such as the child watch at the YMCA. He literally would not walk to leave and refused to go. So I tried my best to carry a 43 pounder and push the stroller with my 32 pounder. It wasn't pretty, and I was mad as heck when we made it to the car. He wouldn't let me strap him in. So at this point I am sweating bullets. I close his door, start the car and just sit in the front until he crawls into his seat. He cries all the way home. 

He's at a weird stage. You can put him in time out, you can take away his toys...he literally said, "Oh you forgot these toys, can I help?" I mean what kid helps put his toys away!

So now I always get nervous when leaving somewhere fun because I'm afraid of him causing a scene.

I'm trying to use patience and not lose my cool...and to grant my boy grace because I know he's try to deal with all the emotions going on in his little body.

What has helped you deal with your threenagers?

Natalie

Three is My Favorite

I wish I could freeze time...

Because I love the age of three...

Because I love snuggling with my little boy...

Because I love watching him grow and learn...

Because I love how he can be so sweet and thoughtful. 

Because I love seeing the twinkle in his eye.

I know he won't always want momma to hold him.

I know he won't want to share his day with me but instead his friends.

I know he won't always call me his best friend.

So as these moments are fleeting, I will capture them and bottle them up to treasure them always.

Natalie

Saying Goodbye to Naptime

Cue Boyz II Men music in the background.

I think my 3 year old is saying goodbye to nap times.

If we attempt it, it is met with tears , yelling, and has the potential of waking up little brother. 

It is JUST NOT WORTH IT.  He hasn't napped in weeks.  

He's good about some quiet time and watching some shows, but enter the evening and he just gets SO CRAZY.

He becomes more defiant, more likely to be mean to his brother, and in general an emotional basket case.

I know he's almost 3 1/2, so it's totally normal for him to be possibly outgrowing his nap time.

But what do you do when the crazies come out? It's really emotionally exhausting!

Bedtime is definitely earlier, but what happens when it is summer and we're out enjoying it?  Is he going to fall apart?

What did you do when your children outgrew their naps?

Natalie

A Fulfilling Weekend

Even though the temperatures dropped in my neck of the woods, I had a great family weekend.

On Saturday night, we attended our annual "mom's group" family dinner and gift exchange.  Our friend that hosted even had Santa come visit! However that was quite interesting with a group of three year olds and under. Not many warmed up to the jolly ole guy or even Mrs. Claus.

On Sunday, my in-laws watched Conley while my husband, Nolan, and I went to church.  It was great to just go with Nolan, and I realized that was the first or second time my husband and I have both  been alone with Nolan since Conley has been born. How crazy is that? 

Then after church, I took Nolan to his first movie! We have a dollar theater (even though it is $2.50 now) that was playing Planes! He loved it and sat still the whole time. He did not want to leave though and had a little bit of a tantrum but all and all we had a great time.  It's nice to have a little special time with my boy! 

I will be taking a break to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday with my family and friends, and I hope you do the same!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!

Natalie

Time for a Checkup

Today I took my boy to his 3 year old checkup.  Hard to believe he's three, and this time around the check up was definitely more in the "big boy" visit with standing up for his height and weight check, getting his blood pressure checked, identifying cards for eyesight, and the whole peeing in a cup.  That has elevated him to big boy status in my book!

Typical Nolan was more concerned with checking out all the books than paying attention to the doctor.

The boy is 40 inches tall and in the 95th percentile of height and 37.5 lbs which is in the 90th percentile.  So needless to say that boy is tall and heavy!  I knew he was tall, but I had no idea it would be in that high of a percentile!

And then his sidekick was not too amused by all of this:

Nolan did great and actually asked to stay at the doctor's even after getting a flu shot!  I guess the B Toys Medical Kit really got him ready for his visit!

How are your kids at the doctor's office as they get older?

Natalie

Fall Festivities

Wow it's Thursday? It seems my days have been flying by lately!  Before you know it, we'll be into full blown holiday cheer!

For some reason, I have felt like Halloween has last forever this time.  Maybe because we started celebrating with the Pumpkin Patch very early this year.  All I can say is I'm ready to take my decorations down and move just to fall.

Last night, daddy and Nolan carved his first pumpkin  Surprisingly, Nolan actually put his hand in to get the "guts" out.  I never in a million years thought he would do that since he's weird about sticky things.  But he did, and they had a great time!

(Please ignore the photo bombing of Conley behind our glass door!)

Conley is growing and becoming more like a big boy.  He started really cruising about two weeks ago, and I believe probably by Thanksgiving he'll be a walker.  It's so weird to see him standing everywhere like a little man!

Did you do any pumpkin carving this year?

Natalie

Third Birthday Firetruck Style!

I happy to report that Nolan's 3rd birthday party was a success!  The kids had so much fun at The Little Gym, and it was so cute to see them all sitting at the table snacking and eating cookie cake.

Now that the festivities are over, we are now dealing with the sickies in our household.  Isn't that how it always goes?

Conley was a huge ham during the whole event, sitting in the middle of the group dancing.

It's hard to believe my baby is three, but here we are.  It's fun to watch him learn and grow and can't wait to see what this next year holds for you!

(Banner from this Etsy shop, and water labels and party favors from this one. Fire hats and cake toppers ordered on Amazon...and fabulous shirts are from this shop.  The gigantic cookie cake was from Kroger, believe it or not!)

Natalie

This Week in Photos...

This week has flown by, and I'm sorry I haven't been around more.

I am working on a new business project that's keeping me busy...and then of course Nolan's 3rd Birthday Party!

We are doing it this Saturday at The Little Gym again this year.  Not going crazy or anything just trying to make it fun for the kiddos!

Three??? THREE! I still can't believe it.

I made one of my favorite recipes tonight, and then forgot to take a photo.  Oh well, but here's the Pinterest link to Mini-Apple Cheddar Turkey Meatloaves.  You will not be disappointed, PROMISE!

Hope you guys are having a great week!

Natalie

A Glance at Three

In a few weeks, my little guy turns three.

I feel like I've been looking at three with him for awhile.  His expanding vocabulary, the way he knows how to use certain phrases at the appropriate time, has made me think he was already there.

Such a big boy, potty trained and not even Pull Ups at nap or bedtime.  All the transitions that I worried about, all went so smoothly.  

It's amazing how much he has grown in just one year, and I can't even remember what it was like when we didn't have our little conversations.

But there are still inklings of my little baby boy...

He still loves to cuddle and even has me hold him and pretend "rock the baby" and sing a lullaby.

He still gets tired running around the path at the park and wants my husband or I to pick him up.

He still has his "cuddle blankie" at night.  

I kind of like this age...a big boy but still a baby at heart.  The best of both worlds.

They are only little for a little awhile, so I plan on cuddling with my baby as long as he lets me.

  

A Busy Week in Our Household

Happy Friday friends!  Another week has gone by, and before you know it we'll be in September.

It was a busy week in our household with Conley's one year check up (12 month post coming next week), Nolan had MDO orientation, dogs had their vet appointment, and working on Nolan's upcoming birthday party in October. Check out my 3rd Birthday Pinterest page!

I also was busy on the blog with my giveaway (have you entered?), forum post and blog post at The SITS Girls.

***Nolan and his new nap mat for school, and the most ADORABLE shirts for his birthday!***

Oh and on Saturday I was hanging out with these girls celebrating Abigail's baby coming in October.  It was so great seeing everyone! Check out Sarah's blog to see the great details of the "You Are My Sunshine" shower that her and Kristy put together.  It was adorable!

(Kristy, Abigail, Sarah, Conley, and I)

How was your week?

Natalie

When Your Sweet Boy Isn't So Sweet

As some of you might have seen on Facebook, my sweet boy Nolan has become more of a handful lately.  (And if you aren't a fan on FB, please click at the right of the page...I'm at 87 likes and would love to get to 100!)

My sweet, loving boy has become a "no" boy.

Literally he says "no" to all kinds of things and in the most hateful manner.

He seriously sounds like a teenager talking back...I really thought I had a some more years before we reached this stage.

While we were at the grocery store, he yelled out and emptied out one of the bags in the cart as we were leaving.

At nap time, he slapped me on my shoulder, and said he didn't want to nap.

"NO I don't want to," and "NO I can't" are the most common phrases that come out of his mouth.

It's really like it happened overnight.  He's constantly testing me about EVERYTHING....and even the easiest of tasks or a meal have become a battle.

Where did my sweet boy go?

I realize he's finding his independence, and I try to keep my cool (very difficult at times), and we have been doing a lot of time outs.  I always follow through with the consequences because I know that's crucial when he's testing these boundaries.  I just hate that we spend so much time focusing on the negative.

Two was pretty easy with this boy....but the three's are going to give me a run for my money.

Have you been dealing with the "no's" too?

Natalie

This Little Guy...

Nolan has been attending Little Gym since last September on Monday nights with Daddy. It has been amazing to watch my little boy come out of his shell and be a little more adventurous. His temperament has always been on on the more reserved...more cautious side.  Recently though he's been becoming more independent and trying to get out of his comfort zone. It's amazing to watch him branch out and become his own little person.

My husband was out of town, so for the first time I had to take Nolan to Little Gym while my mother-in-law watched Conley. I have not been out of the house with just Nolan in 10 months! Obviously when you do the math, that's the exact age of Conley. So to celebrate, we headed to get some ice cream after Little Gym. It was so fun to just be with my little man. I really have missed the one-on-one time with him and can't wait to have more dates with him in the future.

He's at such a fun age, I just want to freeze time and enjoy it to the fullest.

Do you make time for one-on-one dates if you have more than one child?

Memorial Day Fun

This weekend was so nice because we were able to spend it with some friends of ours that we've known since college.  Their little boy is just three months younger than Nolan, and these boys had so much fun!  It was so sweet to see them playing together so nicely, and I have to say this is the most I have ever seen Nolan play with another kid.  You know he's still at the age where they interact some but really just play along side each other.  But Nolan and Max really played together---one would have the lawn mower and the other would have the weed eater.  They have similar temperaments and have about the same energy level so they were the perfect little match.

They would chase each other in the yard yelling and digging dirt with their "working gloves."  The last night before the left we went to a local park, and the boys were holding hands on the path.  It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen!  When they left, it was hard because I was so sad to see them go because Nolan really had so much playing with Max.  I hope we see them again soon!

How was your Memorial Day weekend?

Natalie

My Boy at 2 1/2...

Wow it is hard to believe my boy is well on his way to being a 3 year old! This age is absolutely amazing, and I kind of want to freeze time.

Nolan on his first train ride with the grandparents. 

The loves of Nolan:
He loves playing in the dirt with Daddy in the yard and will say, "Momma you go back in the house!" As if to say it is just man time.

Trucks, trucks, and more trucks still have his heart. I believe the excavator is probably his favorite. Thank goodness for all the construction around here!

Oh but trains rank up there with trucks, and he loves all of his Thomas the Train engines. I believe Gordon is still his fave out of the group.  He can sing the whole Thomas intro and roll call song by heart.

The funny Nolan sayings:
-Yep I sure am.
-I have a great idea! Grandpa can fix it!
-Lets play toys all day long!
-Sure, why not?
-I go in the big brown car and go to the orange store (The Home Depot).
-I put on my working shoes and go outside and dig in the dirt with Daddy.
-Gives a hug...then says, awww sweet!
-This is just right.

He still is a man of simple tastes and still does not like his food mixed. He loves oranges, apples, strawberries, blueberries, pistachios, almonds, nut crackers, graham crackers, carrots, broccoli, green beans, chicken nuggets, bacon, sausage, and fruit/veggie pouches.

He knows all his letters, colors, and numbers up to 20...but sometimes gets confused from 15-20.  He loves to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

He names all trucks when we're on the road from concrete mixers, trash trucks, to dump trucks.  He loves talking about the different shapes of the moon: crescent, half, and full moon.  He loves looking at clouds and when the sun hides behind them he says, "It's cold, where did the sunshine go?"  He also loves pointing out planes, birds, and helicopters in the sky.

He knows all the stores, the car wash, and all the places we stop and names them as we go by.  And if we are headed home, and he doesn't want to go...he'll say, "Let's go this way!" pointing in the opposite direction of our house.  He knows his left from his right, what the different lights of a stop light mean, and that a stop sign is the shape of an octagon.

He has a fascination with flags and can spot them anywhere.  He has great eyes and is always observing objects I would never see...which can lead to him not paying attention and running into things since he's always looking afar.

He loves school, and his teachers love him.  I'm pretty sure he's going to be a teacher's pet just like both his parents were...he bats those little eyes, and he's got them wrapped around his little finger.

He also has an attraction to brunettes...and anytime he sees a pretty brunette teenager or younger gal he'll walk up and say, "Hi, I'm Nolan!"  He's working on his game early, and apparently he likes the older women.

He's a boy with a sweet disposition and will give you hugs and say, "Mommy/Daddy sad, I'll make you feel better."  He also kisses our boo-boos.

He's a good big brother and will hug on Conley and check on him when he's crying.  Every now and then when he wants attention he'll say, "Conley go sleep in his swing."

He still loves watching Mickey Mouse and will ask for specific episodes.  He knows what tool needs to be used in every scene.  That kid does not forget!

A lover of books, he'll make you read the same one over and over.  Recently obsessed with his Little People flap books and pointing out everything.  We have the Noah's Ark, the transportation one, and the farm one.

It's hard to put my love for this age into one post...because I love so much about it.  I love watching him grow and learn.  He's such a little man now...and it's amazing to watch.  Most photos I have of him are on my phone because life with him moves fast.

To my bright-eyed boy, I love you with my whole heart.

Natalie