Nolan's First Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Our Thanksgiving started off at home, we relaxed in the morning and took our time getting ready to head to Hillsboro.  Our first pit stop was at Grandpa and Grandma Purcell's house.  Nolan was able to meet family members he hadn't met yet.  Nolan had a fun time playing with everyone.  Bill and I enjoyed delicious Thanksgiving meal #1.  After we finished at the Purcell's, we headed over to Nana and Papa T's house for meal #2.

Meal #2 was very low key.  Our immediate family only, it was so nice being able to have a relaxing setting while eating dinnert.  I allowed Nolan to have some big boy food this time.  He loved it!!  He had green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and dressing.  Yummy!  Nolan liked wearing his food as much as he liked eating it.

 The family minus myself

 The family minus Bill

Nolan hamming it up for everyone

Boy oh boy, can Nana cook.  She made a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner!!  Everyone ate way too much.  Bill had to stretch out so he could breathe. :)  We all had to wait an hour or more before we dug into the dessert, which was glorious as well.

I wanted to take everyone's pictures since it was Nolan's first Thanksgiving.  Everyone was up for it!! :)

 James and Aunt Kay Kay

 Nana and Papa T

 Uncles Jaron and Chance

 Poot and I

After a superb meal, we decided to wash Nolan up.  It is so much easier to bathe him in the kitchen sink, instead of taking him upstairs and dragging all of his bath stuff out.  Nolan really enjoys the sink baths too!

 I love this picture!

 Pointing at silly James

 Nolan discovered the kitchen sink hose

Nolan had a blast with the hose, and made a huge mess.  Nana didn't care one bit though.

After Nolan finished his bath, we all went into the living room to play, or to watch Nolan play.  My parent's neighbors have a little boy that has grow out of a few of his toys, so they brought all the old toys down for Nolan to play with.  Nolan hit the jackpot.  He loves the Legos and Tonka Truck.  

Bill and I have so much to be thankful for in our lives; our amazing baby boy, our wonderful family and friends, and the love we have for each other.  We are not only thankful on Thanksgiving, but everyday of our lives for these magnificent things.

Nolan is 11 Months Old

Today, my little boy is 11 months old!! Bill and I measured and weighed him tonight because he doesn't have to go back to the pediatrician until he is 12 months old. Nolan measured 30 inches in length and weighed 22lbs 10oz. Once again, we don't know how accurate these measurements are, but at least we know he is continuing to grow.  Nolan also had his 3rd tooth come in, Letter F!!

A few of Nolan's favorite things to do:
             - Stand all alone
             - Point at objects
             - Jabber nonstop
             - Attempt to take steps on his own
             - Walk while pushing toys
             - Blow bubbles with his mouth
             - Watch Sesame Street
             - Crawl through tunnels
             - Attempt to destroy anything he can get his
                hands on

 Tooth Letter F; Left Central Incisor

Nolan has the funniest little quirks.  For awhile now, anytime Nolan has to poopy, he goes onto the tile floor, lays down on all fours, puts his face to the ground, and he blows on the tile.  He will do this until he has finished his business.  Finally, I was able to capture this hilarious moment on video.

 
With Nolan's 1st Birthday right around the corner, it seems like I've been planning non-stop.  I decided to go with a Winter ONE-derland birthday party theme.  I found everything on etsy.com, of course.  I had to take a picture to send to the woman who is making the invitations.  Here are a couple of the pictures I took.

I ended up using this picture for the invitation

We are still as busy as ever.  Nolan has taken us on an adventurous trip and we cannot wait to celebrate his first birthday next month.  It's so hard to believe, a year has already passed since this beautiful blessing has come into my life.  Okay, I'll save the sentimental stuff for his birthday post!!

 Nolan's new thing.  He likes to put his hands behind his head like he is going to lay back and take a nap.

Happy baby boy!

Helping with the laundry.  Bill used a make shift gate, chairs, at the bottom of the steps because Nolan now knows how to climb the stairs.  Nolan knows how to climb up the stairs, but not back down.  This can lead to a problem, so we no longer allow him to attempt to climb the stairs.

An Early Thanksgiving Dinner

Today was our Annual Chesser Thanksgiving Dinner.  Gigi always holds her Thanksgiving Dinner the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so everyone can get together and not have conflicting schedules. I know I'm not going to complain, a Thanksgiving Dinner early.  Yummy!!

Watching Sesame Street before we loaded up in the car to head to Chesser's house.

Not only was it Nolan's first Thanksgiving Dinner, but it was also the first time Nolan met some of his cousins.  At first Nolan was a little shy, but he warmed up to everyone as soon as he woke up from his nap.  Aunt Julie brought down an old toy train of cousin Broc's for Nolan to play with.  Nolan thought it was the coolest thing ever!!

 Everyone got a kick out of the name on the Train.  We weren't quite sure how to pronounce it....

Entertaining everyone

Nolan played for a little bit and then it was time to dig in.  He sat in the same high chair I used to sit in!!  I allowed Papa T to feed Nolan some mashed potatoes with gravy and green bean casserole.  He really enjoyed both the mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.  I put my foot down when Papa T tried to give Nolan fudge though.

That's some good stuff!!

 Hanging out with Nana after dinner

Hamming it up for the camera

Nolan was in such a great mood the entire day, every chance he had he was hamming it up for his audience.  Playing with Gigi's gourds, pushing around the train, pointing and talking to anyone who would pay attention to him.  Which was pretty much everyone in the room.

Blowing bubbles (spit) everywhere

 Nolan and Aunt Kay Kay

Daddy enjoying some delicious Cherry Delight dessert

 My little Pooter and I

We attempted a family photo numerous times and this picture ended up being the best one.  Of course, Nolan isn't looking at the camera.

We had a delicious meal and a great day with the Chesser Family!!  Nolan had a blast playing with everyone and meeting his cousins.  Until the official Thanksgiving Dinner....

Nolan the Master Chef

Since I went grocery shopping this past weekend, I've been making dinner every night this week.  I know, it's an amazing feat and Bill is too scared to say anything for fear of losing his home cooked meal privileges.  Anyways,  Nolan needs to be entertained while I'm preparing the meal, since Bill is finishing up his thesis in the basement.  Yes, I said FINISHING his thesis.  Bill will be walking across the SIUE stage on December 17th, to receive his MS for Mechanical Engineering.  Nolan and I are so proud of Bill!!

Back to cooking and entertaining Nolan, so I bring out the bowls and spoons which make the most noise.  Nolan has a hay-day banging and pushing the metal bowl around the entire house.  Tonight I decided to take some pictures of my little man.  Starting Nolan out early with an interest in kitchen utensils is a must!!

 Nolan wearing the colander as a hat

 Pure boy, making as much noise as he possibly can.

 Nolan thought it was neat how he could see himself in the bottom of the bowl.

"Here mom you try.  It's pretty cool!"

Of course, after about ten minutes of making noise Nolan became bored with the bowl and spoons.  He decided to venture around our bedroom.  Nolan loves to play peek-a-boo.  So after he was out of my sight, I readied the camera, and took a picture of Nolan the moment I jumped out and yelled peek-a-boo.  You can see the excitement on his little face!! I love how expressive his big brown eyes are.

Nolan and I had such a great time playing, I forgot about the simmering potatoes and chicken on the stove.  Needless to say, I am not the best chef around, but the meal was salvageable and Bill did not complain.  He's such a good husband.  He says he likes his scalloped potatoes a little burnt, because they have more flavor!!