Nolan's New Buddy

What have we gotten ourselves into? Check out Nolan's new best friend...Puppy! Yes, a dog has entered the Jansen household. For those of you who know us well, you know a dog is merely something we look at, occasionally pet, not cuddle, play with, or let slobber on us! But, somehow Nolan is surrounded by dogs... Auntie Sue's precious Sammie, D.J.'s buddy Tucker, The Leensvaart's pup Murphy, and soon to be the new Krauth addition- Miley. He LOVES them. So it wasn't a surprise when he became attached to his new pal...a blue stuffed animal puppy. Puppy goes with Nolan everywhere- in the car, outside, for naps, and especially to bed. He sucks on his nose, grabs his ears, and stretches his arms out to hug him close. Apparently Puppy is also hilarious! Nolan laughs and laughs as his ears fly back and forth. So here's to hoping that this new found affection for four legged friends will stay in the plush kind.
But we have a feeling we're doomed!

Weekend in Breck

"School's out for summer!" Well at least for 2 weeks!
The life of a year round teacher is a crazy one! I will have the next two weeks off, and in the mean time, get my classroom set up and plans ready for my next school year to begin. July 7th I will start my 6th year teaching...wow! So to celebrate another year down and to try to relax a bit before gearing up for the next school year, we decided to take a quick trip to the mountains! We sat by the pool in Breckenridge, went out to eat, walked around downtown, went to bed early, took a short hike, and hit up the alpine slides! What a great get-away and some quality time with my mom before she leaves on Tuesday!

Wild Week

I haven't blogged in awhile! I've barely had time to sit down! We have had a wild week or so! I am wrapping up school- only 1 and a half days left! Woo hoo! Then my mom came into town...which has been SO wonderful! We have been spending time with her, AND all of our best friends and family members who came into town from all over to celebrate Ernie and Kim's wedding! What a blast to have almost everyone you love in the same place! Here are a bunch of pictures from our hectic but totally amazing week!

Rafting Bachelor Party on the Arkansas River! The water was VERY high, thank goodness everyone survived...especially the groom. a.k.a. Bridezilla


Hanging out with Uncle Patrick! Nolan can't wait for his first Philly cheese steak!

Congratulations Ernie and Kim! We can't wait to be married couples with you! Hurry home from the British Virgin Islands...we miss you already!


Grandma's in Town! She spoils us with meals and serves us by taking care of Nolan, cleaning our house, and doing odd jobs! Nolan has an awesome Grandma!


The Jansen Fam got down at the wedding!


Nolan got to meet his Auntie Jayne and Uncle Brad for the 1st time! He was waiting for their visit and had so much fun chillin' with his cool aunt & uncle from California!


Mark and his highschool buds: Rick, D.J., Ernie, Nate, and James


The Calvin Crew
(Back Row L-R: Bryan, Nate, James, Pat, Jason, Jeff, Ben)
(Front Row L-R: Sara, Mark, Me, Steph, Ernie, Angie, Betsy)


Mark's first Father's Day at Daniels Park... Nolan is one blessed boy! Mark is a wonderful Dad! Nolan loves laughing at Daddy's belly kisses and silly dancing! He loves their morning quality time as Mark gives him his breakfast and gets him ready for the day! And he loves sitting on the couch and cheering on the Rockies with him! I look forward to watching this bond grow over the years! Thanks for a fun 6 months Mark!


And finally, Nolan's new joy: The exersaucer!

Date Night

Mark had a HOT date tonight! And nope...not with me! With our beautiful, smart, and super fun niece Payton! Mark was unable to go to her 4th Birthday Pool Party last weekend. So he told her he would make it up to her by taking her out on a date. Being that we have the hook ups with movie tickets, we have taken Payton to a couple of movies over the years. She decided for her date night that she would like to go to a new movie and out for ice cream. Mark picked her up for their night on the town and she was ready and waiting, in a very lovely dress. When Mark walked in the door she asked him, "Why are you late, we need to get to our movie?!" They had a great time, saw Kung Fu Panda, and had dipped cones from Dairy Queen! Nolan and I were lucky enough to join them for ice cream and then later pizza. We broke all the rules and had dessert first and then dinner! The joys of being an aunt and uncle! We have loved being able to spend so much time with Payton over the years and to have watched her grow up to be the spirited, creative, and sensitive young girl she is...she truly takes such good care of Nolan, wrapping him up in blankets and showering him with kisses! Thanks for a great night P.R.! Uncle Marky loves you and so do I!!! Your tickling giggles tonight were the best!!

Summer Lovin'

Here are a few pictures from our very fun weekend in the sun! I had the pleasure of taking Nolan swimming for the first time at Payton's fourth birthday party! He loved it and just soaked it all in. The next day Mark got to join in on the fun, we took him swimming at our good friend Jess' apartment pool! Jess just happens to be a life guard and taught Mark the proper way of dunking Nolan. Check out the footage, he cried briefly, but then went right back to laughing with Daddy!

Mellow Man

Everyone always comments about how mellow Nolan is. And thank goodness for that, because we drag him around everywhere with us! We had another busy weekend full of friends, family, and fun! And Nolan just went along for the ride. Being that we are the first of all our friends to have a baby, we don't want to miss out on any of the fun, so we just bring him along. And he is more than happy to be held by anyone and everyone! Here are just a few pictures from a wonderful long weekend! Happy Memorial Day!

Congrats Uncle E and Auntie Kim on your new home!

Moving Day!
"Tri Circle Pecks" striking a senior portrait pose in
Ernie and Kim's tree

A rainy Memorial Day at the Cabin

Naked Nolan

Just a few snapshots of Nolan's new favorite past-time...being naked! It has been so hot here, and he has proven to be a true Jansen, he is warm all the time, the less clothes he has on, the happier he is! Check out his awesome rolls!

Whirlwind Week

So I haven't posted in over a week because I really don't think that I have had a chance to sit down and relax in over a week! I am now back at school and after teaching all week, after school commitments, and getting ready for Barbie's Birthday Bash tonight...I'm wiped! A few highlights from the past week: Nolan's fist adventures with rice cereal, a WONDERFUL Mother's Day, and a great night with family! Here are some pictures to document our fun times!

I'm not so sure about this mushy stuff!

Nolan bearing Mother's Day gifts...a new ipod and
a gift certificate for a facial!

More Kisses from Nolan's favorite cousin Payton!

It's really hard to get all the kids to smile at once...
so Nolan decides to nod off!
(Gwen, Rylan, Cara, Brady,Payton, Abby, Nolan)

Sweet Home Chicago!

We are back in Denver after our wonderful trip to Illinois and Michigan. Nolan had a stomach virus and got off to a rocky start, but hung in there as we visited with one friend or family member after the next. With one bottle of Pedialyte consumed and an average of 4 dirty diapers an hour, by Sunday we had our precious Nolan back to his normal healthy self. The last few days were just as busy, but much easier with a happy boy on our hands! Here's a video of all our adventures. It's a bit long, so sit tight, relax, and enjoy!

Sumo Baby

We had our 4 month well check appointment with our pediatrician today. And as we expected, Nolan is one healthy boy! Weighing in at 17 lbs. 6.8 oz. Nolan is in the 90% for weight! He is 25 3/4 in. long, which puts him in the 75% for height. And once again, the "meatloaf", as a good friend of mine calls him, has a little head, 41.4 cm. (27 %) But no concern, his "chubbers cheekers" make his head look plenty big! So now we are ready for the next step...rice cereal! We take off tomorrow for 6 days in Chicago, so we'll probably start that adventure when we get back home next week. We are so blessed to have such a healthy baby, and we are especially thankful after he's slept for almost 12 hours, straight through the night now for about 2 months! At this moment Nolan is sleeping off the pain from his shots, while I'm busy packing for his first flight. We can't wait to be surrounded by friends and family this long weekend. Pray for no screaming on the flights and a happy baby as we cart him around non stop for days!

Big Man

Nolan is getting so big! We are just amazed everyday at what he can do! Our new favorite thing is working around the house while he sits in his Bumbo! He loves sitting up and being a part of all that is going on around him! Check it out!

Holy Cow!

Yesterday we got a call from a friend who offered us his Cubs/Rockies tickets for last night! We couldn't pass them up...what a great opportunity for Mark to be able to take Nolan to his first major league game- with his two favorite teams at that! So naturally, I got Nolan ready to go to the game...in his Cubbie blue. When Mark got home that's when the fun began! The first thing he said was, "I had a feeling you would do that." And so begins our lifetime struggle- who will Nolan root for? The Cubs or the Rockies? Mark won out last night with his argument of, "You know how much this means to me!".


So off to Coors Field we went, Nolan sporting his Matt Holliday t-shirt, and our compromise- his Cubs pacifier! The second we got out of the car downtown, Nolan was in the Snugli, facing forward for the first time, he was laughing hysterically. This is truly the first time we heard him laugh! Either he was so excited for his first game (That's what Daddy thinks!) OR he thought his Mommy and Daddy were so silly for arguing over what he should wear to a game he would just scream though! But we thought it was adorable! Nolan loved taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the park. He lasted a few good innings surrounded by Cubs fans! But then decided to cry for awhile, fall asleep for awhile, and then demand to go home!

We were brave to take him down and happy that we did. It was great for us to get out, have a Rockie dog, and expose Nolan to a little taste of his future! The Cubs pulled it out in the 10th while Nolan was fast asleep in his car seat on I-25 and his Mommy was singing..."Go Cubs Go, Go Cubs Go, Hey Chicago, What do you say, the Cubs are gonna WIN today!"

Tummy Time

Nolan and I have had a great start to my Spring Break! We love lounging around the house, running errands, going on walks, and working on our latest homework: rolling over! He's not quite ready yet, but we are doing lots of Tummy Time to practice. Check out the the video to see how strong Nolan's getting!

Counting Down...

What a crazy week of weather out here in Colorado! The past 3 or 4 days were in the 70's and then today...it's snowing! We had a wonderful weekend with friends, grilled, and went jogging twice. It has been so great to get out of the house! Nolan loves riding in the jogging stroller and loves watching all the people and dogs at Wash. park. He wore shorts for the first time! It's cute to see his chubby little legs! And now tonight, here we are wearing sweats and cuddled up on the couch under a blanket. I only have 2 days left to teach and then I have 3 weeks off! We are looking forward to spending a lot of time together and a trip to Chicago too!

My Auntie Rocks!

My sister and our good family friend Lauren came to visit for a quick weekend trip. Here is a movie of our fun times. Enjoy!