Too Cute Vest

Way back when my SIL made this adorable vest for Nolan.  He is finally big enough to wear it.  I love little man clothes so of course I think he is adorable.

my little guy sitting up

doing pretty well

Time at the Farm

Ok well we really aren't at a farm but Nolan visits the Farm on the saucer daily.  He beats up on the cow, he chews on the sheep, and gives the pig the business.  All in all it is a pretty successful work day.

Messy Face

Slowly we have added cereal into Nolan's diet.  He doesn't love it but he sure does look cute.  Soon I will have to add some baby food not sure how he will like this either but it will be fun to try.  He is also quick with the hands, got to watch the spoon;)

Park Time

A recent addition to the Malone family has brought my dear friend Emily to Canton.  Emily and I have known each other since before junior high.  We have done camps together, youth retreats, and mission trips.  Now our kids are playing together and the girls are loving their time together.  Here are some adorable pictures from our trip to the park but before that a little sneak peak to the past....

 this is a picture from a Christmas play we were in

I am on the left in purple & Em is in the blue on the right

we also got to go to prom together in 99' 

that makes me feel old

now our girls are playing together

having a great time

this picture is for the dad's so they can see how strong the girls are

look at those muscles

lunch

the kids climbing the hill

my adorable niece Nora

5 Months

Our Little Nolan is 5 months and is growing and changing daily.  I will update his development in his 6 month update.

Remembering...

Back in November my Grandma passed away very quickly.  You can read about that on my November post.  Due to the fact that I was so close to my due date I did not get to go to the memorial service but I did get to attend via iChat(like Skype).  This was the first time I had been back in her house since she passed away.  I have been in Cincinnati numerous times since she passed away but really was not ready to go over there and see the house so empty.  I had been avoiding this whole thing because it was just so weird.  It still is not real.  I just still see her sitting in her chair at night watching dancing with the stars and reading.  I miss her, a lot, everyday.  I wish she could see Gracie and all the things that are happening and how proud she would be.  I took pictures of the things that I wanted to remember, things that right now I can see in my head but one day may start to loose, I don't want to ever forget.

her house

my grandma sat on these steps a lot over the years when i was growing up
to light our sparklers and let us run around
sometimes she just stood and waved saying
"see you later alligator" and I would reply "after awhile crocodile"

the tree I  climbed

a special spot

her front door

her screened in porch

the cabinet my grandpa made

EEG

We recently took Gracie to Akron Children's hospital for an EEG.  Since before Gracie was one she has done this thing with her hands and mouth when she gets excited.  Our doctor has always said it would be something she would grow out of.  When people get nervous they may twirl their hair, talk really fast, sweat, and even stutter.  Interesting enough this is what they are relating Gracies excited thing too.  We wanted to be sure that is all it was so we decided it would be best to have some test done, I would rather be safe than sorry.  One of the tests she had done was the EEG which was a long morning.  First, to understand this you need to know my daughter requires sleep to function and to be a happy girl.  She likes long naps, about 4 hours and then goes down around 8:30 and sleeps to 7:30 or 8.

The first rule before the test is that Gracie must stay up 3 hours past her bed time.
We then must wake her by 6am but in our case we had to do 5:30am so we could leave by 6 to be there by 6:30am for our appointment.
Before we could leave Gracie's hair had to be washed because it had to be oil free, this did not go well.
Then after that traumatic experience we got Gracie in the car and I headed to Akron.
Once there they had to put these 25 sensors all over her head.  Each spot had to be cleaned, stuck down with glue then a strip of paper went over each censure and was glued on, that was then dried with some stuff that stunk so bad, I had to hold gracie down.  This little girl was much stronger then I knew.  I practically had to lay my top half on her to hold her down so the lady could put each one on, Terrible!  Once they were finally on they ran all sorts of test, that I would have been annoyed with.  Once the basic tests were all completed I then had to tell gracie to lay down and go to sleep, seriously I thought that will never happen.  She laid down, I covered her up, and held her hand.  I just prayed, for what seemed to be an hour, for her to just go to sleep.  Once she was finally a sleep they let her sleep for about 10 minutes then told me to wake her, again, Seriously!  Poor thing, I woke her up and she was not happy.  She was so tired and she had to be fully awake.  At that point I was so thankful that I brought her a new toy, which was also required to help her do her "excited thing".  This made miss gracie very happy.  Next step was to pray she would do her excited thing while they were scanning her.  Finally she did but not for very long but enough for them to get what they needed.
Once all test were completed each sensor had to be removed with nail polish remover, she still has some spots in her hair that I have to remove.
After all was said and done we gone in our car at 9:30.  I never thought it would take that long but it did and it was finally all over.  Hours of praying is the only way we got through it and I am so thankful it is over.

here is our little lady during the test

this is the happiest of the pictures.

A Quick Trip

to the park.  One cold day while in Cincinnati my mom and I took Gracie to the park and then decided how cold it was and decided to go home.  I did get  few quick pictures of my Gracie Bear.

Easter 2012

We spent our Easter in Cincinnati with my family, minus my brother Steve and family.  We had a great time relaxing and just enjoying our time together.  I did hope the weather would be a little warmer but better then snow;)  We had nights with smores, movie, lots of grilling, and plenty of lounging. 

The real meaning of Easter is what is most important and one that we continue to teach Gracie.  One we continue to learn from but there is also the store bought version of eggs and candy that we incorporate into the day.  I hate how much candy is given out and the ridiculous amount of money that is spent again on candy.  Our Easter baskets were full of items that Gracie would actually need or play with, things I wanted to give her.  Gracie's basket had an Ariel doll, her very own hair brush, and a movie.  Maybe you think it is lame but don't worry.  Nina spoiled her plenty and she did not go without a jelly bean.  

my wonderful family

finding her first egg

nolan & papi

a & t seacrching for the sports eggs that had money in them
we still can't find the missing basketball egg anywhere

gracie helping nolan search for eggs

the easter bunny(nina) brought gracie a ballerina outfit

gracie discovering the ballerina dress & dragging nina with her

looking over her new treasure

My Kiddos

Ok, so a recent complaint is that I have not updated my blog in a while with any pictures so here is a quick little picture that was taken back in March of me loving on both of my little ones while daddy made dinner.

4 Months

Playing Catch-up...

very late 4 month picture

In March Nolan turned 4 months.  Our little guy is growing fast and although he has quickly moved into 6 month clothes for the length his weight is still on the low end.  During the appointment our doctor went over all the things at this point Nolan should do.  He is for sure a mover.  I believe once he is crawling stage he will be the happiest little boy.  To our surprise our doctor did say we need to fatten him up.  You may think this is strange, looks can be deceiving when it comes to Nolan's cheeks.

Nolan's 4 Month Stats:
Height: 26" (75%)
Weight: 15lbs 3 1/2oz (30%)
Head Circumference: 16 1/2"

Your dry skin is gone and but your eye is often goopy due to the clog tear duct that looks like it is finally starting to clear up.  It only makes me sad when your eye gets stuck together after nap.

Mom look what I can do:

• daddy calls it the ninja roll.  going from one place to another and ending up rotated and in a whole other location in a different direction.
• you know already how to tease gracie.  the other night we watched you grab her doll a number of times even after she took it from you and put it a side.  some how you managed to get it again.  you enjoyed every minute.
• you make motor sounds with your mouth
• often while feeding you, you laugh or smile more then you eat.
• you think nap time is a game.  you laugh at me when I try to get you to sleep or put a paci in.  
• Gracie is always checking on you.  She loves going in and talking to you when you wake from a nap.
• you have a new friend, an elephant, that gracie gave you which you chew on all the time.
• Night time has gotten a little better.  We stated putting a little cereal in your bottle before bed to help you feel full and sleep thru the night and so far it is helping.
• you are started to sit up.  i mean daddy sits you by his feet and you will sit there for a while but slowly you will go down on your belly after about 5 minutes.
• he is just a happy guy and if he is not he wants to eat or sleep.
• he does love being in the middle of the action.  If gracie and i move to the dinning room Nolan will turn his body even in the saucer so he can see us.
• he is a load talker or I should say screamer/talker
• nicknames:little man, squirt, buddy, pumpkin, sweet boy
• You still sleep the best on your side
• Although my schedule this spring has been hectic you have adapted well
• he does not want to sit he likes to stand and will grab for anything....i mean my ranch dress, my drink, my phone and delete and email you name it he wants it
• trying to use the cute winter 6 month close before it is too hot
• still in size 2 diapers
• you are bottle feed for almost all feedings at this point
• you laugh at the silliest things; funny faces and noises
• tried spoon feeding you cereal and you gagged
• Love chewing on your hand, thumb, or paci.
• You love bath time.
• I try to keep him to 2 good naps a day an no skipping feedings, this messes up his whole schedule
• if someone else is feeding you and Gracie and I start talking you will stop and try to find us in the world.. daddy says he can talk the whole time and you never stop to find him
• We LOVE your smiles