Weekend Madness

So even though I have the best of intentions of posting a message everyday, somehow life justs gets in the way and there just aren't enough hours in the day :) We have had wonderful, but very busy weekends lately. Two weeks ago my dear friend Maureen (aka "Aunt MoMo") came for a visit to the "country" (remember we live in a burb of Charlotte) to see us. My parents also came in to see little "Roo". They were great babysitters and excellent chefs!! It was so great to see Maureen and have girl time (even though Nolan didn't seem to care that mommy stayed up way past her normal bedtime because he was up bright and early at 6 am). I haven't seen Maureen since her beautiful wedding in VA when Nolan was just 6 weeks old. FYI: very interesting to travel to the DC area (7 hours away) when you have a 6 week old baby. Anyway, Bill and I had to take Nolan to his future residence (i.e., the White House). Bill was so excited~ totally checks out doesn't it??

This past weekend we made the journey over the mountain into TN (we have been slackers about visiting mom and dad because they usually come to see us and stay in their NC house). Anyway, I think Nolan has trouble with the pressure in his ears going over the mountains because he always screams (and I do mean screams) from Asheville to Elizabethton. However, after our arrival all was well. Nolan loves his Nana and Papa and we all had a great time in TN. He even slept through the night and took really good naps despite being in a different environment and sleeping in his pack and play. We also helped my efforts to become more technologically savvy and we finally bought a new laptop and camera (So, I promise I will post some pics of little man very soon!!) All in all we have had fabulous weekends lately and are always excited about our weekend madness!

Naps? Who Needs 'em!!

Sorry for the absence~there has been a shortage of naps in the Kearney house. Nolan has been going on all engines full speed ahead all week. All of this is probably happening for several reasons: 1. complete change of routine 2. teething 3. a major case of separation anxiety and last but not least 4. construction on our basement (for some reason the quiet sounds of a jack hammer making footers in concrete is not a desired lullaby). Anyway, hopefully we can figure out something because 20 minute power naps in the car are not sufficient for my little man. Even though his pediatrician assures me that babies sleep in 20 minute cycles and that he is getting enough sleep, I'm not buying it!! He is even waking up in the middle of the night again which hasn't happened in a long time. Hopefully this is just another one of those crazy stages of being a baby. I keep telling myself that this too shall pass and I try to enjoy our late night snuggles because I know one day he will not need me like he does now.

Speaking of separation anxiety. Being a mommy is such a "catch 22". You look forward to date nights or shopping dates, but you miss your little one as soon as you pull out of the driveway. The same thing with separation anxiety. Most times I am thinking you are with a grandparent or daddy and you will be okay, but a part of me is thrilled that he loves and needs his mommy so much. Strange I know, but he has grown and changed so quickly and I love that sometimes only mommy can make it better. Just like the other night, he and Bill were sitting on the floor playing and eating a snack while I was cooking dinner (yes, he is just like his daddy and "grazes" before dinner). All of a sudden I hear a loud thump followed by wails and lots of tears. Nolan had his first major run in with the hard wood floors and only mommy could make it better. I had to control my own tears to console this first "boo boo" which left a red mark and a little bitty bruise for the next day. I had to keep telling myself that he was okay and this was just the first of many "boo boos" in his future, especially as a curious little boy. And so we begin the adventure of boyhood~ I can't wait!!

Watch Out World: Nolan is on the Move!!

So a new adventure begins. First there was the stage of rolling everywhere he wanted to go and then came the ever adorable army crawling to all of our favorite objects (i.e., everything but our toys, including shoes, dog toys, etc.) Then over the weekend Nolan decided he was finished with the army crawling he has been doing since around 8 months old and he is now moving and grooving around everywhere~ much to the amazement of Riley. He keeps circling Nolan and giving him "drive-by" kisses. I think Riley is probably the least enthused about Nolan's new adventurous stage; however they are quickly becoming the bestest buddies as Nolan looks for Riley when he is in his high chair and drops him an endless supply of cheerios and puffs.

Even though I have worked with children my entire professional career, I am constantly amazed at Nolan's developmental stages. Everyone tells you things are completely different when you have a child of your own and I used to hate hearing that saying, but it is absolutely true!! He grows and changes so much each and every day, and I feel truly blessed to be able to see him through each and every new change. So here's to each new adventure with little "Roo"!!

Joining the Blog Revolution

Okay, so anyone who knows me at all can attest to the fact that I am not technologically savvy at all. I don't even own an IPod (I got Bill one for his birthday a couple of years ago, but let's face it~ at this point I would probably only have kids songs on it anyway). However, I love keeping in touch with my fellow mommies and mommies to be by reading their daily blogs, so I thought that I would give it a try myself. Blogging seems like a great alternative for scrap booking, which I love with a passion, but definitely don't have time for anymore. Hopefully I will figure out this whole layout thing and be able to keep in touch with my long distance friends and relatives, too! So enough technology for now, but I promise to be in touch soon. That is assuming little man takes enough of a nap for me to figure out this blogging thing!!