Happy Memorial Day

Wow!! What a beautiful day outside.  90 degrees and SUNNY!! We had a crazy busy weekend this weekend.  It seems like every time we get a long weekend it goes by way too quick. Friday night, Nolan and Bill were able to have some fun before all of the crazy running around started.  Poot sure loves his daddy!!

The craziness started Saturday, Nolan and I drove up early because I wanted Nana to give me a new hairstyle.  I got at least 8 inches cut off and my hair is now a chestnut brown.  Nolan didn't know what to think when I was talking to him.  He would smile and then just stare at me, like who is this woman that sounds like my mommy.  Bill arrived around 5:00 and we went to cousin Ethan's graduation party.  I cannot believe Ethan has graduated from High School.  When Bill and I first started dating, he was in 8th Grade. Anyways, the weather was not cooperative, 40 degrees and rainy.  It was a good thing we didn't arrive to the party any earlier than we did because Irving had softball size hail that did MAJOR damage to a lot of cars and houses.  Poor Aunt Lori and Ethan's trucks are ruined!! :( Poot did a great job though, he toughed it out for a few hours even though he was passed around like a sack of potatoes.

Sunday morning, Bill went back down to our house to work on his thesis without any interruptions.  Sunday afternoon, Nolan and I went to two more graduation parties.  Sunday's weather was the complete opposite of Saturday's weather.  We went to cousin Dillon and cousin Hannah's graduation parties.  We had a great time and Nolan was passed around again and was able to meet everyone.  It was really neat because Nolan was able to meet my kindergarten teacher.

The Pfiefer families are in town from Tennessee, so after the graduation parties Sunday, everyone went to Grandma and Grandpa Young's for a get together.  Poor Nollie was so exhausted, we skipped the party so he could catch up on his sleep.  He slept SO GOOD, and so did mommy!!

Monday morning, we missed daddy, so Papa T drove down to pick him up and bring him back for the party at Fuller's.  We didn't want to have two cars, and I wanted to take a nice nap on the way home after the party.  While Papa T was picking up Bill, Aunt Kelby and I wanted to dip Nolan's feet in the pond to see what his reaction would be.  The water was a little chilly, so I was worried he would become upset.  We were surprised when he stood in the water and didn't object at all.  I think it helped because Boog, our dog, was in the water next to Nolan lapping up the water.  Nolan just smiled at Boog and stared at the waves he was making.  I hope one day Nolan and Boog become inseparable.  Boog has started to become more comfortable around Nolan, he even licked Poot's toes and made him laugh.  After Bill and Papa T made it home, we went to Fuller's around noon and had a great time with all of the family.  The food was delicious!!

 Chillin with Uncle B-Rad and Aunt Juju

 Nap Time

 Precious

 Woke up HAPPY

Friday Fun Day

We started the morning off going to the park and playing with Madison and Grant!  It was a little bit warmer than expected, so after awhile of playing we decided to pack up and go to lunch where there was AIR CONDITIONING!  We all had a delicious lunch and said our goodbyes.

Later this afternoon, Grandpa and Grandma Purcell and Rebekah came to visit Poot.  We went out to eat at La Casa and came back to the house to have some playtime with Bopi and the grandkids!  Nolan couldn't take his eyes off of Bekah, she was very entertaining.  Nolan got to show off his new move, rolling over to his belly.  Bopi and Memaw couldn't believe how happy of a baby Nolan is!!  Bopi taught Nolan how to drive a truck.  I said if he is anything like his daddy we need to imitate the police sirens pulling him over!! What a fun evening to end the day!

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 Already teaching Nolan some wrestling moves

 Shifting gears

 These two kind of look like they're related

Nolan is 5 Months Old

Today, my little boy is 5 months old!! Bill and I measured and weighed him last night because he doesn't have to go back to the pediatrician until he is 6 months old.  Nolan measured 26 inches in length and weighed 16lbs 8oz.  Once again, we don't know how accurate these measurements are, but at least we know he is growing.  Nolan is starting to scoot himself across the floor by squirming his arms and legs.  I will lay him down on his belly and go into the kitchen for a minute and when I come back, he has turned himself the complete opposite direction and moved about half a foot from his original spot.  It won't be too long and he will be crawling all over the place.

What a fun and amazing journey these past five months have been.  It seems weird to think Nolan has only been in our lives for five months because it feels like he has always been apart of our lives.  I think back to what Bill and I used to do before we had Nollie, and life was kind of boring.  Yes, we slept a lot more and went to the movies instead of Netflix movies on a regular basis, but Nolan brings such joy and love into our lives it is worth a little less sleep and watching movies at home on the couch.

Pooter has finally grown enough to wear the Converse sneakers Nana bought for him when he was only a month old.  I remember the day Nana bought them for Nolan, I told her he wouldn't be able to wear the Chucks until he was two years old.  Boy, was I wrong! Nolan is wearing them at age 5 months!! Silly Pooter!!

 

The "Chucks"

Happy 5 Months Poot!! 

Daddy and I love you very much!!

Nolanson

Grandma Donna came to visit us tonight and had goodies for us from her trip to China.  Donna went on a missionary trip to China to deliver Bibles to the good people of China.  Donna shared her pictures with us and brought back some pretty cool souvenirs.  Donna brought me a beautiful white silk scarf from the silk factory, Bill and Nolan matching Polo's, a red Chinese outfit for Nolan, and our names written in Chinese on paper. Grandma Donna, couldn't wait to be back from China so she could see her little man!! 16 days is way too long!!

 

Grandma Donna brought Nolan a red Chinese outfit.  Bill and I both thought of the movie "The Karate Kid" right away. Hence, the title of the blog, Nolanson!!  I can picture Nolan trying to chop 2x4s in half in this outfit, only to end up breaking his arm! Oh goodness, what adventures lie ahead with a little boy.

Donna asked what I would like from China.  I have always wanted to see what my name would look like written in Chinese.  I asked Donna to have someone write, my name, Bill's name, Nolan's name, and Purcell in Chinese.  Here are the end results.  Too cool! I cannot wait to put them in frames and hang them up.

 Jenna

 William

 Nolan

Purcell

And the little one said: "Roll Over!! Roll Over!!"

Nolan Henson has been rolling over from his back to his belly for a couples of weeks now!  The first official "roll over" was May 9th at Nana and Papa T's house.  I knew it was coming soon, because every night when I place Nolan in his crib he turns completely onto his side and teeters back and forth.  Finally, Nollie teetered over to his belly and he was excited!!  I snapped a few pictures of him as he perfected his rolling technique.

Nolan may have gotten all of his daddy's good looks, but one thing he did get from me are my long eyelashes!! Nollie is going to be a little heartbreaker with those brown eyes and long eyelashes.

At least we know Nolan has a back-up plan if school doesn't work out.  Wheel of Fortune!!!  Wartch out Pat, Nolan will have your job.

Nolan now enjoys tummy time a lot more than he used to.  I think it is because he can hold himself up higher off of the floor.  Pooter also found his toes.  He did this May 10th, after a meltdown waiting for his bottle.  I stuck his foot up in his face to distract him and he calmed down right away.  Now he is always looking for his toes.  It is too cute.

Nolan has a nickname, Pooter or Poot for short, that has really stuck.  My family, Bill, and I call him Poot or Pooter on a daily basis.  I think it will be fun to see how long his nickname will stick.  If I refer to Poot or Pooter on the blog, it is in reference to Nolan!

Poot looks more and more like Bill everyday.  His hair is starting to become kinky exactly like Bill's!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

It is strange to think this time two years ago, May 9, 2009, Bill and I became husband and wife.  Even stranger to think this time last year, May 9, 2010, Bill and I announced to our families we were expecting a little bundle of joy.  And finally this year, May 8, 2011, I can officially celebrate Mother's Day with  my beautiful son and husband.

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful boy in my life to whom I can call my son, Nolan Henson.  Becoming a mom has been one of the single greatest joys in my life.  The love I feel towards Nolan can never be expressed in words or actions.  He is such an amazing little boy and I cannot wait for him to grow into an amazing young man.  Well, I can wait for a little while because he is growing too quickly already! ;)

I love you  Nolan Henson!!!  You bring so much joy and love into mine and your daddy's lives.

This morning I awoke to a baby boy banging me on the head with a "Happy Mother's Day" balloon.  Nolan's arm was assisted by Bill's hand of course.  Bill being his romantic self, "I LOVE YOU BOO", had gotten me a dozen yellow roses and a delicious ice cream cake!! Bill and Nolan even cooked a fantastic breakfast. I am too spoiled by these silly boys.

I forgot to take a picture of the cake before it was demolished!

Funny story, Bill went through the DQ Drive-Thru and ordered the ice cream cake.  Bill said the workers laughed at him when he pulled up to pay.  Bill apparently thought, it was a common thing for people to order ice cream cake in the Drive-Thru.  The workers even customized the cake and asked him if he wanted a heart shaped one because it was mother's day.  I must give a shout out to the Glen Carbon DQ workers!! lol

The three of us got ready and went to church for the first time as a family.  Nolan did a great job.  After church, we went and ate at La Casa Mexicana......YUMMY!!  Since we at so much food, we came back and sat around the house.  Nana, Papa T, and Aunt Kelby came to pick up Nolan and stayed for some pictures and some ice cream cake.  Before Nana, Papa T, and Kelby left to head back home, we all of jumped in the car and made a trip to the AT&T Store, so Papa T could buy Nana her Mother's Day present.  A NEW iPHONE!! Now Nana can FaceTime chat with Bill or I and see Nollie whenever she wants.

Momma,
You're the most kindest, caring, loving person I know.  I am truly blessed to have you for a mother.  When I was growing up, I looked up to you in more ways than you can imagine and I still continue to look up to you.  As a a young girl, you always told me you could never know the love you have for me until I have a child of my own.  I now know the love you have for me is unconditional because of the love I feel for Nolan.  I look at being a mother with the utmost confidence because I know I was raised by the best.  You continue to amaze me everyday with the gentle and loving heart you have.  You're not only an amazing mother and nana, but an amazing woman!! I love you more than you know.  Thanks for being my best friend and momma.

Love,
Jenna