First time for everything

We had a few 'firsts' this week, including Nolan's first Thanksgiving! He slept through most of it, but what can you expect from a 6-week old?! I also made my first cranberry salad (my Grandma Booe's recipe) and my first pumpkin roll. They both turned out great! We had a great time at Grandma Cindy's on Thursday, watching football and eating way too much. Then Sunday at Grandpa Morey's and Grandma Sharon's....we ate way too much again! We also celebrated Max's 9th birthday, and had cake and ice cream to top off the weekend.

I had my 6-week check up with my doctor on Tuesday. Despite all the eating I've been doing, I weighed in at a little less than my pre-pregnancy weight. How exciting! I also got my IUD inserted while I was there, so we are officially pregnancy-free for the next 5 years....unless we decide to start trying sooner. It can always be taken out whenever we want another little rugrat!

Nolan wore his first pair of shoes over the weekend too. They are too cute....thanks, Nanny!

Tuesday, before my doctor's appointment, I took Nolan to Deloitte to visit all of my co-workers. They were all anxious to see him since he'd been talked about nonstop during my pregnancy! He was a really good boy getting passed around to all the girls. I stopped by my desk to grab a couple things and I had to laugh....right by my phone was a list of things I still wanted to get off of our baby registry before Nolan got here! ha ha It was good to get out and see everyone at work. My tentative date to go back is January 7, and I know it will come way too soon!

Nolan is doing really well. He's started eating more at each feeding, and he's staying awake a little longer during the day too. A few nights ago he slept for 6 hours straight, and it was wonderful! It hasn't happened again, but last night he got a good 4 hours in, and that's better than the 3 he usually gets in. We started giving him rice cereal in his bottle a couple of weeks ago, but it made him fussy during the day so we stopped. Now we're trying again! Today will only be the second day, but Nurse Polly says we should try for a week or two to see how it goes. He's been focusing on things a lot more now, like the ceiling fan, lights, and our faces. He definitely knows our voices, and will turn to find us when he hears us talking. It's so amazing watching him change and grow! I'd say it'll be another week or so before he's outgrown his newborn clothes and moves into the 0-3 month clothes. He goes back to the doctor on December 10....two months old, so time for his shots! I'll have the baby Tylenol ready....

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

1 month old!

So it's been awhile since I've posted....I can't believe Nolan's already a month old!

Last week was my first week without anyone here during the day. It was definitely interesting! The week before, Brad was home all week with us and we got into a little routine. Nolan has turned out to be like his Mommy in that respect - he likes a schedule/routine/plan! Needless to say, that first day with just the two of us didn't go too smoothly. But it got better every day, it just took some time!

We went to the pediatrician last Monday for another weight check. Nolan gained 2 lbs. in 2 weeks! He was at 9 lbs., 1 oz. and Dr. Zavadil was very impressed! I've stopped nursing, but I'm still pumping every time Nolan eats. So he's still getting the benefits of breast milk, and Daddy (and anyone else) is able to feed him.

Tuesday, Grandma Cindy started her "Grandma nights" with Nolan (Thursday nights are reserved for Cambell & Mylee). So every Tuesday, Brad and I have a free pass to get out of the house baby-free if we want. I ended up meeting my friend Melissa for dinner and Brad went out for a couple of drinks with friends from work. But the biggest news of Tuesday was.....I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans again!!! I can't explain how excited I was. I called Brad on my way to dinner just to tell him the good news. I had been really worried about it, and everyone said just to give it time and not to worry or stress about it. No more maternity clothes or Bella Band to fit into my old clothes. Now I can actually go shopping in regular stores again!

Last Wednesday we went shopping and Nolan was really good. He made it through a long trip to Kohl's and then we headed to the mall. We would have stayed longer, but Mommy ran out of wipes....so the trip was cut short! Guess I'll make sure I'm better prepared next time, huh?

Thursday we met Daddy for a quick lunch downtown, and then took Nolan to see everyone at Marsico (Daddy's work). He was perfect - he slept the whole time and didn't mind one bit at being passed around. All the girls that work with Brad now have baby fever....

Thursday night, Aunt Cary and Uncle Mark came to visit. Collin and Mackenzie had to stay home with Nanny and Papa, but maybe next time they'll be able to come when Nolan's big enough to play. We had a great weekend, and Aunt Cary was a big help. I even got a few long naps in while they were here!

Friday night we started putting a little tiny bit of rice cereal in Nolan's bedtime bottle. He slept 4 1/2 hours straight the first night! But the last two nights haven't been as long. We're going to keep trying and see how it goes. I may start giving him a little cereal once during the day too, just so he's getting a little bit more to eat. I'll keep you posted!

This week should be interesting....Nolan will be thrown off by the change in routine again with the holiday on Thursday. Hopefully he'll get out of that phase soon! Thursday morning, Brad and his friends play a flag football game in Aurora. If the weather's nice, Nolan and I will go watch for a little bit. Thursday afternoon we'll head to Grandma Cindy's for Thanksgiving dinner. Friday, Brad will be home early in the afternoon. Since the market is open in the morning, he'll have to go to work :( Sunday we'll be going to Grandpa Morey & Grandma Sharon's for Thanksgiving with the Engle's, and to celebrate Max's birthday. A busy 1st Thanksgiving weekend for Nolan!

We're still waiting to see Nolan's first smile, but I know it's right around the corner. And if I'm not the first one to see it, anyone who does see it better not tell me!! haha Brad and I are just enjoying our little man, and can't believe how big he's gotten in the past month. He seems to grow every day - it's amazing! Here are some random pictures from the past couple of weeks:

Happy Halloween!

Nolan with his first Halloween pumpkin....only a day late! I can't take the credit for the cute idea with the binky in the pumpkin though - my friend Cheryl did this awhile back and I stole her creativity. Thanks, Cheryl!

Nolan is doing really well, and getting bigger every day! My mom was here all last week, and my dad was here last weekend to see the little guy and help out. They were lifesavers, to say the least! The breastfeeding is going okay, but we had some ups and downs at the beginning. I do have to say that I have a lot more patience than I thought I would. Nolan had a little trouble gaining weight at first, but everything is good now. We had a weight check with the pediatrician on Monday, and he had gained 8 oz. in 4 days!! He was finally over his birth weight at 7 lbs. 1 oz. He's doing a combination of nursing and taking a bottle with breast milk that I've pumped, and seems to be okay going from one to the other. He's a great baby....we couldn't ask for better!

Brad and I are adjusting to this whole parenting thing. We just love him to death, even at 2 in the morning when he won't go to sleep! He'll get gas and sort of smile, and it's just the cutest thing ever, and then we forget about how much sleep we aren't getting. Brad has still been working, but his mom has been here to help most of this week. I'm going at it alone on Friday for the first time though....we'll see how it goes! Next week Brad will be home all week, so that will be nice to spend some time with him and Nolan, just the three of us.

Hope everyone is doing well and had a Happy Halloween!