Archive for April, 2009

Oh how things change in 3 years!  I would have expected to parent Nolan the same exact way we did Brayden, but I feel like we are completely different.  Not sure if it is because we are now seasoned and educated (ha), or if it is because he is #2….but anyway, this is a post about my 4 favorite baby items that I DIDN’T have with Brayden.

#1 – Fisher Price Little Lamb Swing

I saw this swing while I was pregnant and stalked it until I found it on sale.  I love it, and so does Nolan.  He LOVES this swing.  Seriously…hence the reason most pictures you see he is sitting in it!  It is so soft and comfy – my mom jokes that she wants one for herself!

This picture brings me to product #2

#2 – BumGenius Organic All-in-One One-Size Diapers

Yes, we are cloth diapering this kiddo.  And we love it.  We tried many types of diapers, and settled on this one.  It is just as easy as putting on a Pamper, except you toss it in a bag until time to wash (and you have to spray the occasional deuce).  It was pricey to start. But these will fit him until he is potty-trained! So in the long run, we will save a ton of $$! We bought 24 diapers, and that seems to be a good number. 

#3 – Sakura Bloom Double Linen Ring Sling

I didn’t discover Ring Slings until Brayden was about a year old, so it was a treat to snuggle a newborn in a ring sling, but especially in this super soft linen!  Nolan has lived in this sling almost every day since he was born.  I just love it.  And so does he.  But you wouldn’t imagine the comments I get….Tonight someone looked at me and said, “It is a real baby!” WTH lady?  Did you think I was carrying a doll?

#4 – Aden+Anais Swaddling Blankets

Both of our boys love(d) being swaddled at night.  We struggled with Brayden to find the perfect swaddling blanket.  The ones they sell as swaddling blankets in the store are crap…they don’t swaddle the legs!  I was so excited to find these blankets…they are HUGE, and they are made of super soft and breathable muslin fabric.  They are PERFECT.  My new favorite shower gift.  Every new baby NEEDS these!

We had Loren’s shower a few weekends ago.  It was also Nolan’s first time meeting all the women in our extended family!  It was the first beautiful day we have had in a long time, and Emily was the perfect hostess :)

We had a onesie decorating contest…I don’t remember who made this one, but they were clearly sucking up to Loren

The one that clearly should have won ;)

Great Aunt Lynn

The loot

The beautiful scenery – most likely from Bridget’s beautiful garden

After the shower, Loren and I went out on the town for a night to finish shopping, and Kathy helped her set up the nursery this past weekend.  So everything seems to be set for Cletus to arrive!  We are so excited to meet our first niece/nephew!

Brotherly Love

April 18, 2009

1st bath together 

Nolan’s 1st trip to the zoo

Their Easter photoshoot :) Unfortunately, it lasted all of 30 seconds.  B was too excited about Easter.

Happy Easter!

April 13, 2009

Easter was so much fun with Brayden this year.  I felt like this was the first year that he really understood what was going on.  We got out of bed, searched for his Easter basket, found Nolan’s Easter basket as well, then went on an egg hunt in his toy room.  Poor B, he had 3 easter egg hunts all by himself yesterday.  He looked at me at one point and said, “Mom, next year Nolan and Cletus (his nickname for Loren’s baby) will do this with me“.

B’s basket was hidden in HIS favorite hiding spot :)

The loot

All day long, everytime he found an egg, he had to shake it.  It was so flippin’ cute

This child is addicted to puzzles.  He has mastered the 24 and 48 piece puzzles – I guess we need to start on the 100 pieces!!!  He put this puzzle together in 5 minutes.

His new favorite game just happens to be my favorite when I was little.  Thanks Aunt Erin!

Egg hunt pictures!

And finally, Nolan and his mama :)

More pictures here

We had such a fun weekend!  It started on Saturday with Brayden’s 3rd birthday party!  I can’t believe he is almost 3.  He requested a Handy Manny Birthday party, so I made him an outfit, found him a Handy Manny toolbelt, and attempted to make a cute cake…

Birthday attire

The cake.  I wanted to make a toolbox cake, but it didn’t quite transform into a toolbox.  I was pretty happy with the results though, even though I put enough red food coloring in it to poisen a small animal.

Blowing out his candles

We had a great day, thank you so much to everyone who loves this little guy as much as we do.  He wouldn’t be such the awesome kid he is without the love and support from every single one of you.

More pictures here

Nolan is 1 month old!

April 3, 2009

I can’t believe he is already 1 month old!

But I also can’t imagine life without him.