Awesome Autumn Adventure

Yesterday we headed over to a local nursery in our neighborhood- Tagawa Gardens. They were having a Pumpkin Festival, so we thought it would be the perfect day for some Fall Fun! Since Nolan is under 2 years of age, he was free and adults were only $3! So for a whopping total of $6, we had a great autumn adventure! Last year we paid 3 times that for a less than stellar, muddy, pumpkin patch experience...so we were pumped about our new find, and SO close to home! Check out the pics below!

"Animals, Animals, Animals!" Nolan was laughing and clapping and patting all the animals in the petting zoo! Meanwhile, what was his mommy doing? Feverishly taking pictures, carefully trying not to step in poop, skirting around hairy beasts, and sniffling! Not quite sure he is my child!

"Pat, Pat" Nolan was fearless! Daddy likes animals a bit more than I do, but was afraid Nolan would get kicked by the pony or pooped on by the llama and was always moving Nolan out of the way of any rear ends!

"Duck, quack, quack" I can handle these feathered friends!

And maybe this hard shelled reptile! "Tu-tle"

SMILE! Our little scarecrow!

Picking out the perfect pumpkin to decorate. This mama had to let go and let Nolan choose whichever one he wanted! Although, I did require that it had a stem!

Working hard to place his stickers, feathers, pipe cleaners, and such on his "pup in".

Waiting in line for his balloon snake!

Planting flowers in jack-o-lantern pots

Getting his hand painted- Daddy and Nolan both got a pumpkin. We tried for the face, but Nolan wasn't havin' it! The pumpkin got smeared 2 seconds later, but he still showed his orange blob off proudly!

A little spooked by Frankenstein!

Snappin' a pic. with the scarecrow

So happy with HIS decorated pumpkin! What a fun day!

SURPRISE!

It was just another Thursday, Nolan and I played all day, we watched Jax, I went to Women's Group. Around 10 o'clock p.m. I walked back in the door after catching up with the girls and found Mark waiting for me at the entryway. He had been saying all day that he had a surprise for me, and now was my time to cash in! As I turned the corner into the living room, there was my MOM!!! We're not really sure what I said- I think I was speechless and then said something like "What are you doing here!" I ran to give her a hug and seconds later my sister came bounding down the stairs! "AAAHHHHH!" Seeing my mom was awesome, but an even bigger surprise was that my sister got her booty on a plane to come see me!

I guess their flight was delayed and they only pulled in the driveway about 1 minute before I did that night! Close call! But great that it all worked out!

We stayed up late that night talking about all their plans and how they pulled the whole thing off without me even having a clue! I did think it was weird when earlier in the week Mark was cleaning the guest bathroom toilet and telling me I should get some more shampoo and conditioner for that shower- you know, because my parents would be here in December, we should clean now and I better run out and stock up because there would be no other time to do it! Mark is so smooth! But really, I had NO IDEA!

We spent the weekend playing with Nolan, shopping, baking, cooking, and trying to stay warm! It was a cold and frosty weekend! But best of all it was just SO wonderful to have some good girl time and extra help with Nolan! I am so thankful to have such a close, loving, fun, and supportive family!

Nolan absolutely ADORES them and is still looking around the house for them saying "Auntie? Auntie? Gamma? Gamma?". He now wants to play the "Stinky Sock" game all the time- throwing his socks at me, screaming "yucky", and laughing hysterically- thanks Auntie Mal for that fun game! And he LOVES the "coo koos" grandma taught him how to bake!

Great memories were made. Thanks Momela and Sister for spending your Columbus Day weekend with us! We LOVE you!

The Countdown Begins!

We got to see a final glimpse at our little guy yesterday. This was our last ultrasound until we get to see him in person!! Crazy and Exciting at the same time! I am about 30 weeks along, but measuring 1 full week ahead! So anytime at the beginning of December we can expect this bouncing baby boy to arrive! And I'm not choosing those words lightly- this boy sure is bouncing A LOT lately!

Here is his profile- for the first time we think he looks different from Nolan. Nolan has my button nose. This baby seems to have a longer/straighter nose- like Mark. But we got to see that he has hair! That was fun! Nolan had the best hair when he was born, and it looks like he will too!

This is a shot looking straight down at his face. I usually think these pictures are a bit creepy, but I like how it looks like he has the same great cheeks Nolan has! Gotta love the jowls!

And here is his foot! So cute!

We have a lot to do in the next 10 weeks- finish the basement, get a new roof, decorate Nolan's big boy room and set up his new bunk bed, add the finishing touches to the new baby nursery, and so much more! But in the midst of our home improvement and the craziness of day to day life we are praising God for a healthy baby and a joyful 21 month old!

Battle Wounds

This is what happens when you combine an adorable face, a new runner, and concrete! Ouch!

And if you look really closely, yes, he does have a tomato in his mouth and a seed on his lip! His new favorite food!

Seasoned Traveler

Good thing I brought this-

Because apparently now on Southwest you have to bring a birth certificate, shot records, or passport for your child under the age of 2 in order for them to fly! I can't tell you how many times we've flown domestically without it! And for some reason I just decided to throw it in my purse, and I'm glad I did because otherwise we would have had to run home, grab it, and catch a later flight! San Diego here we come!

So our trip started off well! Flight was on time, Nolan was wonderful- just put on his DVD player and he's good to go. Well of course, he did have a sucker, fruit snacks, smarties, and wheat thins along the way!

Our bags came quickly, Jayne was on her way to pick us up, and here's where things started to get a little sticky! After a header into the concrete bench and a face plant while running through my legs on the pavement, we loaded up the car only to realize Nolan's blankie is MISSING! Mark frantically runs back in to look for it- no luck. We search the waiting area, baggage claim, and path back towards our gate, all while Jayne is waiting in the car with Nolan only hoping not to get yelled or whistled at too badly by the crazy airport cops! Thankfully she didn't end up having to circle around the airport, because finally after asking a police officer if he had seen it or had anybody turn one in to him, I made another trip retracing our steps, and ended up finding it right behind where the police officer was standing in the first place! What a relief! I almost started crying when I found it! No big surprise there huh?!

Now off to Escondido! We had a fantastic long weekend spending time with Brad & Jayne and visiting with great college friends in the area. Nolan was WAY overtired from weird naps, lots of travel by plane and car, and pure busyness! So he wasn't quite his fun self all the time, but he did alright and enjoyed yet another trip to another new and exciting place! We love being able to travel with him and are enjoying his free ticket while we can! This was our last adventure as a family of 3 because this prego is staying put for the next 2 1/2 months!

I made a video of all of the fun stuff we did in California! Uncle "Bra" and Auntie Jayne thank you for such a nice weekend! Nolan keeps saying "Bra" ? and looking around for you. We miss you like crazy already! Skype ya soon!

Tough Stuff

I'm amazed at what a big boy Nolan is becoming! This weekend we went up to the Bosch Family cabin on 2 different days to celebrate both the 10th birthday of our ring bearers and Labor Day. Nolan had a blast up at the cabin now that he can run around everywhere. The cabin was fun before, but the rocks, dirt, gravel, sand, hills, sticks, etc. made for some hard obstacles for a crawling kid! As you can see from the pictures below, nothing stopped him now! He played hard all day, kept up with the big boys, got filthy, and crashed in the car on the way home!

For the next three weeks, I will be off track and home with Nolan everyday! We are looking forward to some outdoor adventures while the weather is still warm, a trip to California to visit Uncle Brad & Aunt Jayne, and good college friends, the start of our big basement project, and lots of shopping for Nolan's big boy room and the new baby nursery! It will be so nice to have some relaxation time as my belly gets bigger, my back hurts more, and as I seem to get exhausted after the simplest of tasks! I'm so looking forward to making the most of our last few months as a family of 3!

Nolan is understanding more and more each day about the baby and he "talks" about the baby a lot! He recognizes the baby in ultrasound photos, he tells me which of his matchbox cars is the baby's, and he pretends to talk to the baby on the phone. (Well, along with Cookie and Ernie too!) Little does he know how much his life will change in just a short time! But what a wonderful change it will be! We can't wait to see our boys grow to be friends!

"kick, kick, kick, kick"

"--ovel" (shovel)

Running the bases

Nolan loved the fire and kept saying "oooh" and "more" as he saw all the tiki torches lit!

Playing with his cousins on Labor Day

Exploring the land

Showing off his bruise- he accidentally got hit with a wooden bat just above his right eyebrow.

Trying to play ladder golf with Daddy

Super Boy!

Going on a little walk with the fam!

Capping off the day with a much needed BATH!

Who's having more fun?

Spoiled Rotten

Yesterday was my birthday, but for the past week I have been nothing but SPOILED ROTTEN by so many friends and family members! Dinner at P.F. Changs with my Women's Group, a pool day and lunch at Qdoba with my small group girls, taco feast and D.Q. ice cream cake with Mark's fam, Tokyo Joe's lunch and a way cool CAT card from my school pals (they know just how much I LOVE animals!), and a day of love from my boys at home! I got so many phone calls, Facebook messages, and gifts in the mail. And even got to "see" my family last night through Skype! Here are a few pics from the festivities along the way! Thanks so much to everyone who helped make my day so special! 

Celebrating my birthday the night of the Bears-Broncos game. The cousins each wore their favorite team gear! (I won this jersey battle against Mark because it was MY special day!) The Bears proved to win one for me that night! 

Nolan LOVED singing Happy Birthday to his mommy! He loves music! 

I got to spend the actual day with these 2 adorable boys! Nolan and his buddy Jax. Jax's mom and I job share our 1st grade classroom and help watch each others boys on our days off. 

Nolan had a blast with the balloons Mark blew up to decorate. 

My birthday chair- Happy 28th Birthday from all your Chicago Favorites! Ever since we were little my family has had the tradition of a birthday chair. The family decorates a special chair in some creative theme and then the birthday girl or boy sits in the chair to open up their presents! Mark hasn't always embraced this tradition but in the end always comes up with something creative! 

He even surprised me that night by having my favorite Chicago Style Pizza delivered- Lou Malnati's! 

Somebody does really like me! 

My fun new gift from Mark and Nolan- a Canon Rebel xsi! 

Nolan and I took a shot together before Mark and I went out to a movie! It was so nice to have a night out together! Thanks Oma and Opa for watching N.B.J.!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Nolan LOVES baseball! He carries his bats around the house and swings at or bangs everything. I've been calling him "Bam Bam" lately because he LOVES to whack his bat at anything. Not always the best when the bat is coming towards your head, 

so we've been having many a talk about the appropriate use of things. 

Nolan LOVES, as Ming Ming of the Wonder Pets would say "Doing it my own way"! My stubborn little boy is so sweet, but definitely has a mind of his own. We've had to try "Time Out" a few times when he chooses not to listen. He goes to his little floor mat by the front door for a minute or two to calm down. He actually does a great job of staying put. He never gets up and always wants to give a big hug when he's done serving his time! 

Mark giving Nolan some batting lessons- trying to teach him to swing through, not to chop at the ball- his preferred method of playing. 

Nolan also LOVES Dora, as well as Elmo and Cookie Monster, but he LOVES her backpack and always sings along with the "Backpack" song. It's actually one of his favorite words! So we hit up The Children's Place for a more manly version of Dora's purple explorer pack. It's still a little big for him so he doesn't wear it for long, but he tries it on, walks around, and likes to fill it with his balls. 

Nolan LOVES his Daddy! He wants to spend as much time with him as possible. Mark is the funniest person in the world to him. They love rough housing and watching sports.

 But, unfortunately, Nolan is also going through a little separation anxiety! He does NOT LOVE when we leave him, and especially Mark! He cries when we drop him off to go to work or to the church nursery! And he has become attached to us in large group settings- it takes him a little while to warm up to others and wants us within sight at all times!  So we are definitely praying that this is just a phase because he used to go to anyone, not mind if we left him for bit, and was Mr. Social! He is still his happy, silly self, he just needs a bit to feel comfortable- and then he's on the go again- running, dancing, playing "catch", and giving "knuckles" to everyone in the room! 

And at the same time, Nolan LOVES being Independent! He wants to walk everywhere, try everything by himself first, and definitely has a mind of his own! He has very little interest in eating- hard to believe, I know! But he'd much rather be on the move then sitting in his high chair! 

Nolan LOVES his cousins!!! He has a blast playing with Payton and her pets- Nolan also LOVES animals of all kinds. Katie the mouse and Penny the bunny are a highlight of any visit to the Syers home! He makes so many animal noises and notices creatures of any kind everywhere we go! Brady is also such a great bud as he lets Nolan tackle him constantly! Here's a shot from our dinner tonight! The kids all looked so cute eating their dinner together! 

And finally, Nolan LOVES ketchup! Not the healthiest of choices, but hey, at least it gets the kid to eat! He would eat it on anything if we let him! But we'll stick to dipping hotdogs, chicken nuggets, and maybe an occasional odd choice like scrambled eggs or it has been know to show up on cantaloupe sometimes! 

I feel like I could go on and on about Nolan at this age! He is having a grand time learning so many new words, playing hard, and exploring his world! We just LOVE him to pieces! 

Party Like it's 1999!

10 years ago...The Backstreet Boys blared in my Mercury Topaz as I drove to Streamwood High each morning. Today...'Hey Diddle Diddle' seems to be the tune Nolan and I jam out to in our glorified mini van, on the way to the grocery store.

Back then I worried about what I was wearing to Prom or how I could get out of going to Japanese class that week.  Fast forward 10 years and I'm fretting over...did I pack enough diapers and why didn't he poop today? 

10 years ago I dreamed of my awesome dorm room at Calvin and all the hot boys I would meet there! And today I sit picturing our finished basement and thinking of ideas for new baby boy's bedroom! 

My how life has changed! But yet, fun, challenging, and sweet in both phases!

This past weekend Nolan and I traveled back to Streamwood for 4 days so that I could attend my 10 year Highschool Reunion! What a great excuse to spend time with my family and friends in the area! Here are some pictures from our busy week! We had a blast! 

Nolan playing with my old Fisher Price Little People! He loves putting all the people in the cars and playing with the 25 year old air plane! 

Nolan has a good ol' time when Auntie Mal gives him baths! 

Playing beanie babies with Grandpa! 

Nolan discovered his new love for whole peaches! He'll eat them down to the pit! 

Our friends, the Sloothaaks, drove down from Zeeland, Michigan to spend a rainy day with us! 

We hit up the Looney Tunes play land at Woodfield Mall to keep us busy on a wet morning! Nolan had just a little bit of fun as you can see from the above picture! 

Nolan and Trey are 9 months apart and have so much fun chasing and tackling each other now that Nolan can run! Here's a few pictures from their few and far between quiet moments together! 

My old crew at our reunion! Kerri, Don, Keith, Becky, and I! It was so good to be back together. It's crazy that we are all now married or engaged and between us have a 3 year old, 19 month old, a baby due any day, and dreams of future bundles in the months to come! We are so blessed to still have each other to love and support throughout the years! 

Cuddling with Auntie Mal after a busy day on the run! Nolan loves watching movies with her! 

Nolan's first ICEE at Target with Grandma. He sucked it right down and had red lips to show for it! (Notice the Cubs hat- we were rooting hard for them in the Rockies-Cubs wrap around this weekend!)

Dinner and yummy ice cream at Colonial! 

Visiting with Great Grandma V.E.E.H.M.M.S. (Verna Edna Emma "Hamburger" Maleske Mueller Swanberg- what a name!) 

Nolan LOVED my parents cats! He looked for them the second he woke up and searched the house for them multiple times a day saying "Where'd they go?" over and over again until he spotted one! 

Through plane rides, many visitors and car trips, lots of restaurants, and late nights, Nolan did amazing! He is such an easy going boy and loves exploring his world! Thanks family for a wonderful stay! Can't wait to see you in December! Skype ya soon!