Nolan's First Christmas

So good to start the holiday season off this year! Last year at this time we were waiting to bring Nolan home, and after some unexpected delays the Christmas season was not very joyful. But this year, this first picture makes me SO happy!

SIX stockings hung by the fireplace! Nolan proudly shows us over and over which stocking belongs to him. It's the biggest one, all the way on the right.

Playing with Daddy's Christmas village

First trip to pick out the Christmas tree


" Ho Ho Ho"



Helping with the lights



Checking out the nativity

Toasting with Hot Chocolate at our annual family tree trimming party.
We all wear our jammies, eat yummy Christmas treats, & decorate the tree, all while classic Christmas tunes play in the background. (One of my favorite times of the year!)

Opps I dropped my nummy...

...and the dog is eating it!

Hanging ornaments

We let Nolan hang some too....

he put them all on 1 branch!

My personal fav of the night... Big bro helping little bro. Nolan thinks Landon hung the moon!

Family Pics

Special thanks to Carrie Walker at Beautiful One Photography. We fought the elements, a VERY windy day, and one super cranky, obstinant 2 year old, and still Carrie was able to catch some very special pics for us. Thanks, Carrie! You're the best!

No family pics yet, but here are some snapshots...

Outfit designed by Summerlyn...

Outfit designed by Mama!

The Devo look..... the kids don't understand when we say this!
"Devo... who... what?"

Ready for pictures... well he looked good but was a complete stinker

when picture time came! I hope we at least got 1 good one of all of us!

Holding a Oleander Wasp Caterpillar

Enjoying a visit from cousins EmmaLyn & Ian who are 6 months older.

Elefun... not so fun after hours of playing!

(Uncle Robert pictured here)

Not sure what to make of the cousins in the tub too.

It's been 8 months already!

Yesterday Nolan celebrated 8 months home. It's been an interesting week and a half, he has hit a rough patch, but after 8 months I have come to know the signs. First, he starts having trouble going to sleep at nap time and at night. He doesn't cry he just stays awake talking, but I believe that he is avoiding sleep out of some type of insecurity or fear. Next the testing begins, it's almost if he's asking, "if I'm naughty, will they still love me/keep me? If I have an accident in my pants, will they still love me/keep me? If I hit, if I refuse to obey, if I am unbearably cranky & difficult.... and so on. In general during this time he is cranky for no apparent reason (which abnormal for him).

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to catch on to this pattern. When I recognize the symptoms, I have to remind myself again that it has been only 8 months, even though it seems like forever to us (in a good way). When these spells reappear, I go back to using the hip hammock for Mommy time and I am always amazed at how he positively & quickly responds.

Tomorrow we have our first "official" family photos with the whole family. I will be sure to post some soon.