8 Months Baby!

Wow, I can barely believe it.  Nolan is officially 8 months old today.  I know it sounds cliché, but I seriously cannot remember a time when he was not the center of our everything.  

Life is so much more complete and meaningful.  My days are focused on trying to see him as much as possible in and around work, sleep, and, all the other little things that fill up our waking hours and make the days fly by.

I love trying to make him smile, laugh, and seeing what new challenges he can take on each day.  While the fatigue has certainly not dissipated, it has been a great ride.  Worth every second.  

So here's to the next 8 months, filled with joy, fun and so many milestones! 

And to Mel, here's to you: a great mother, a great wife, and a great friend.

Highlights from the Summer

It's been one amazing summer! Here are some of our favorite moments from July and August! Nolie loves his adventures with family, friends, and his little buddies. 

 

Perfect Summer Night - almost 8 Months!

We just discovered the perfect area to soak in Summer - just as the season draws to a close. No matter, we will savor and squeeze every last ounce of it while we can.

We enjoyed an evening concert at the picturesque Wrights Pond. Nolie awoke from his afternoon nap to kids of all ages singing and dancing. We played with the Babishes, blew bubbles, and admired the oncoming twilight while silly songs filled the air. Amazing day.

Our Li'l Maestro at 7 Months

Every time we stop and take it all in via the still life of our iPhone camera roll, we are FLOORED! Our little man is growing like crazy, physically and developmentally. 

We gave him his first piano today, and he's a regular Jerry Lewis, pounding away to his heart's content.

He's been sitting up on his own for a few weeks now. He really "gets around" by rolling and kicking. Nolan began to move around the room once we started  swimming classes - and he definitely took to the water like a fish! We swim a few days a week now.

He's eating solids, trying this, sampling that. His first official food was avocado, but he really didn't taste anything til he met a banana peel. Nolie particularly enjoys plums, chicken and zucchini. The jury's still out on sweet potato. And don't even get me started on his foray into sampling bubble bath...

The weeks go by in a flash as we see new changes in him all the time!

Woah! Where has the TIME FLOWN!!!

How is it the our Little Nolie is almost SIX MONTHS OLD!!!

So much has happened.

He's rolled over. Like a boss.

He's teething!!! On everything.

He needs our attention all the time now (so a lot less posts unless you're on FB!)

And he's talking nonstop. Still nothing in adult speak, but he is clearly having full on conversations with us in baby coos and gurgles. He wakes us up each morning with baby statements that sound like notes sung on a scale.

He's also loving music class and our daily "dance parties." 

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings - everyday he makes us smile and laugh. And ps Nolie's laugh is infectious!

On Father's Day and Parenting a 5.5 Month Old

Well, through 5.5 months now with Nolie and on to my first official Father's Day (or, as I like to think of it, on to my 1.5 Father's Day since parenting prep really began when Nolie was in utero).  

So, reflections on this first (and-a-half) Father's Day:

1) I honestly can't remember life without Nolie and wouldn't be able to go back to that time anyway (I'd miss him too much).

2) I never truly understood the joy parenting can bring until now.

3) Seeing the world through the eyes if an infant can make even the most mundane tasks seem fascinating.

4) Getting Nolie to smile is one of my most rewarding joys (though I often find it funnier when he fails to react my my antics, giving me that blank stare that would make the heartiest of stand-up comics shudder).

5) 5.5 months is a great age! Pre-crawling, full alertness makes for fun times.

6) Some great challenges upcoming (solid foods, back-carrying, more immunizations, etc.).

7) Great Father's Day recognizing my model in this (my dad) and having Nolie there makes it extra special.

8) On to he good stuff: more photos!