Nolan's Birthday...the Next Day

With all of the chaos and excitement during Nolan's party, we forgot something.  Everyone had gone home and we were trying to get the kids ready for bed.  I looked over to see Nolan's birthday cake just sitting lonely on the counter.  Oh my gosh!!  We forgot to sign him 'Happy Birthday!"  Oops!  It was way too late at night and the boys were getting over-tired, so we decided to do it the next morning.

Jason made a delicious breakfast of eggs and hash-browns for everyone.  My parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephews had all stayed at our house.  After breakfast was done, we got Nolan's cake lit, sang to him and helped him blow out the candles.  And don't think we didn't cut the cake and eat it!...only at our house can we totally enjoy cake at 9:30 in the morning!  

After cake, we went outside to start putting together Nolan's new tractor.  My family headed back to Iowa and Jason's dad and sister, Sharleen came back over to hang out.  It was a relaxing afternoon spent watching Nolan play and Ellie nap.  Huge thank you to Jason's sister Anne and her husband Justin for watching Ellie, allowing me to sneak in a nap.  I was exhausted!! It was such a special weekend!

See what I mean about sweets?...this was before breakfast! I went ahead and let him...it was his birthday ;)

Even the puppies were worn out

Having a morning conversation with Grandma Hickman

Getting anxious for chow time!

A good morning chat over juice :)

Always interested in seeing themselves on camera :)

Gluten-free birthday cake

Hasn't quite figured out how to blow out the candle...cousin Leyton and Callum were big helpers!

Yet another attempt at a group picture

Papa Holthaus and sweet Ellie

Daddy putting together the tractor...lot's of tiny pieces!

He looks good driving a tractor :)

Just chillaxin'

What an awesome birthday weekend my sweet boy!

Nolan turns 2...Can you dig it!?!

Well, I seriously can't believe it, but, my little guy has now entered full-on toddlerhood.  He is two!  In fact, some would categorize him as a 'preschooler'...huh???  My baby is certainly not a preschooler yet is he?

Stats:
Height: 35.5" (83%)...he went through a growth spurt. I knew Jason's genes would kick in sometime!
Weight: 25.8 lbs (22%) skinny guy

At two, Nolan is definitely growing into a pretty cool kid.  He is a big helper at home and loves to be outside as much as possible.  He is still a nice big brother most of the time :)  Mimicking Jason is another thing he does that is so cute!  He has to have a wagon hooked up to all of his outside toys just like Dad's tractor.  I received a compliment from our day-care provider the other day.  She told me that Nolan is one of the sweetest, well-behaved children.  He eats well, plays well, naps well...well, that felt great to hear but sometimes I swear she can't be talking about my child!

Nolan is talking up a storm and his words are becoming very recognizable...meaning not just Jason and I can understand him!  You can ask him to do tasks and he will gladly help.  Some of his favorite things to play with are his school bus, construction trucks, and of course...tractors!!  

I'm just loving watching my little guy become a little man!

Nolan's birthday landed on a Saturday this year so we threw his birthday party then.  We did a construction theme.  Get it?...'can you dig it?'  We had both sides of the family in town, a few of our close friends and then invited a few of the new neighbors we have met.  It turned out to be quite the crowd!  The weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy our deck and have the kids play outside.  Thank you to our amazing friends and family who have supported us and Nolan over the past couple years.  It meant a lot to have you share the day with us!

Here are a few pictures.  We had so many more people then I thought, I played hostess a lot more than I played photographer!

Dirt pudding...yum!

Uncle Dave with a full lap load!

Good friend Jessica and sweet Ellie...Ellie slept through the rest of the party after this picture

Being a typical two year old, Nolan wouldn't pose for me to show off his birthday t-shirt

Excited to show Papa Holthaus his balloon

His new big wheel

New wagon

New pedal tractor

So spoiled!  This is after the invitation went out with a 'no gifts please' request.  Seriously though, thank you to our friends and family, you are so generous.

From the looks of the t-shirt, I'd call it a successful party!

Thank you Nolan for 2 amazing, fantastic years!!

Ellie and Mommy...random Friday night

I'm never in the pictures because I'm always behind the camera...so, last Friday night I decided to ask Jas to take a couple pictures.  Ellie had just finished her bath, and the lighting was good outside.  Here are a couple pics of me and Ellie (13 weeks old).  She was pretty mellow and I got in lots of kisses!  Nolan had no interest in taking pictures...he was eating his leftover birthday cake :)

Yeah, I can't pull off the 'serious' look...!

I think she looks so much like Nolan in this pic

A Day in the Life...

Below is a day in the life of the Holthaus crew, caught on camera.  I got this idea from a fabulous group of women I have met.  Each has taken a turn sharing a 'day in the life'.  It has been a fun way to get to know everyone a little better.  The ladies's are there for me and each other to share in the joys, the tough days, the absolutely heartbreaking days...and every day in-between.  They can raise you up when you need it, or simply be a sounding board for a vent.  They are such strong women and I'm so glad I found them.  I can honestly say, I've met one of my best friends through this group!

So...now for a glimpse into our life.  This might be a mega-post with all the pictures...hope you enjoy :)

Friday, June 3
My day started at 5:30 when Ellie woke up to nurse.  Ellie is in a bassinet by the bed, so I don't have to get up to feed her...very nice!  She quickly ate and we both went back to sleep.

7 AM

Jason left to go to work.  No pictures of this because I was still sleeping!  

8:30 AM...

How can I not wake up happy when this is the first thing I see?

first diaper change of the day...

pick out an outfit

Meanwhile...

Nolan's alarm clock...when the sun comes on, he can get up!

Still sleeping...this is a record!!  Somewhere around 6:30 he had crawled into our bed

My two sleepy-heads

 9:00...

Time to let Maya out

Diaper changing time again

Our newest trick to get Nolan to lay still during diaper changes...hold Ellie's hand.  Quite sweet isn't it?

A little breakfast

This morning was a little different...we had the fridge repair guy there during breakfast.

10:00...

Getting ready for morning nap!

Don't judge...this is the only way I get to brush my teeth, and...

...unload the dishwasher!

10:30...Nolan plays and gets into things while I try to clean myself up a bit...

Getting into Mama's make-up

Oh no...I find utensils all over the house

10:30...

One more diaper change...

...get the shoes on...

...and off we go on errands!  Ellie doesn't like to just 'sit around' in the car seat.  We need to get moving!

11:30...home from errands.  Now lunch...

Ellie, just done with her feeding

12:00...a little more play-time

1:00...

Moon says it's time for a nap!

Ellie's ready!

Nolan is a bit more difficult.  See his toes?  He falls asleep in front of his door and then I have to pick him up and into bed.

1:30  Mommy-time.  A shower (sorry, no pic!) and then on to...

Laundry!  I swear I could do laundry every day!

Wash a few dishes...

...a little Mommy/Ellie time!

Maya likes to be with the girls!

Hold your head up high Ellie!!

 4:55...Nolan gets up from his nap, and our favorite part of the day...

Daddy is home!

Ahhh, sweet kisses

Another diaper change for Nolan.  He just has to be close to lil' sis!

Love this picture...all my favorite people (and pups) in one picture...the way our life is!

Helping Dad hook up the trailer to go look at a new swing-set...did not purchase :(

6:00 - 8:00...time to play with the neighbors

The sword was soon taken away!

Happy to be held by Daddy :)

Nothing better on a warm evening...

8:00...Bedtime

Being silly... or fighting sleep?

Got to get those pj's on

Out til midnight :)

9:00...Quiet house.

popcorn...

...and a movie

I'll be lucky to make it through (I actually did!)

Well, there you have it!  That sums up an average day.  One note...dinner pictures were missing.  This is because Nolan was throwing a tantrum having to come inside.  In the stress of trying to get him to settle down, I forgot to pick up the camera!