Partners in Crime

Ok...so today is the start of a new era in the Kearney house. Nolan and Riley are now officially partners in crime. I have had my suspicions that they have been conspiring and scheming, but today those suspicions were confirmed. Here's the story: We were getting ready to leave for Rolly Pollies class so after I let Riley outside, I put him in his crate. Nolan was hanging out in the bedroom while I went to the kitchen to grab the diaper bag. Next thing I know, I see/hear Riley running out of the bedroom and across the house. I go into the bedroom and see Nolan sitting next to Riley's crate and grinning like a Cheshire cat. My little man had "sprung" Riley from his crate!! First there is all the food Nolan gives Riley and now my 1 year old is able to open the crate!! WHAT?!?!? Now I know they are conspiring against me, so I have to be on my toes. Oh well, here's looking forward to many new and exciting adventures with my two boys :)

One of Nolan's Favorite Places

Nolan and his very first best buddy Anton on the platform swing :)


"Mommy, catch me if you can!!!"

This is Nolan in action at Rolly Pollies. I have blogged before about this FABULOUS place. So, these pics are more for Nana and Papa since they have not been able to attend one of his classes. Nolan has made some really good friends through these classes (me, too!!) and he looks foward to class every Monday. A fellow mommy took these pics for me since I forgot my camera again!! I still need to get a picture of him on the trapeze bar~ it is just the cutest and funniest thing you have ever seen!!


BTW- This is Roo at Rolly Pollies at the end of January (6 months old!!!!) How did all those changes happen so quickly :(

Water, Water Everywhere!!

One of Nolan's new favorite things is the water table he got for his birthday from his Aunt Stacey, Uncle Jim, and Cousin Katie. He LOVES to splash in the water with his water toys, dump the water out of the table (and dump it on mommy) with the bucket, and spin the water wheel, etc :) Moral of the story he just loves it!!


Such a mischievous grin ;)

Man, this shovel tastes yummy!!




One of Nolan's new favorite things is the water table he got for his birthday from his Aunt Stacey, Uncle Jim, and Cousin Katie. He LOVES to splash in the water with his water toys, dump the water out of the table (and dump it on mommy) with the bucket, and spin the water wheel, etc :) Moral of the story he just loves it!!

Then and Now...

Okay...so I know that I have been a blogging monster today since I am finally able to post pictures again, but I can't believe I had a "mommy brain" moment (most of you know what "mommy brain" is, and if you don't, you will understand at some point and time) and didn't remember to post that exactly one year ago today we brought Nolan home from the hospital.

So, here are some then and now pictures:












My, my how he has changed :)

Party Pics

Be sure to look at the July 9th post for party pics!!

More Birthday Pics

Here are pics from Nolan's actual 1st Birthday~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROO!!




Mommy and Daddy saved one last present for the big "1"
Nolan says, "What's in there???"



Nolan and Mommy at Build-a-Bear




Daddy at the dressing station with Nolan's new "lovie" bear.



Nolan and Daddy on the carousel



"1" exhausted birthday boy :)

12 Month Check-Up

Today was Nolan's 12 month check-up with our fabulous pediatrician. Every time I see him he makes me so feel so much better. Being a first time mommy can be very stressful sometimes and Dr. Mange is so calm and knowledgeable. Nolan got a perfectly wonderful report. He weighed in at 21 pounds even and exactly 29 inches long :) Barring any unforseen mommy freak out moments and illnesses, we don't go back until his 15 month check-up in October!!

BTW- I have not been able to post any of Nolan's birthday pictures in a new post. Blogger lets me post pics on my blog layout, but not on my actual post. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, how did you fix it?? HELP!!! I hate not being tech savvy!!

Birthday Pictures

Okay, so I consulted with my in-house tech guy and he figured out the picture problems. Thanks Babe, such a good hubby!!

Here are some pictures from Nolan's soiree!!



Nolan loved opening all of his wonderful presents! Thanks again everyone :)



Here's Nolan's Big Boy Cake. We kept with the transportation birthday theme!



Nolan loved having his very own birthday cake!! YUMMY!!



Who won? The birthday boy or the cake???



Taking a ride in Nolan's new wagon with Brock and Katie. Thanks Nana and Papa :)

Hip Hip Hooray .....

Roo Bear is "1" Today!!!!

I can't believe Nolan is actually a year old today. Happy and Sad for mommy!!

Many of you know the overall significance of this day for me. July 9 is truly a testament of God working in mysterious ways. My Mamaw passed away on July 9, 2002 when I was in grad school and exactly 5 years later Nolan was born. Before Nolan's birth, July was such a sad time for my family, but now God has given us something beautiful to celebrate every year. I know Mamaw is looking down on us today celebrating, too. She was such a beautiful person and I know her spirit will definitely live on in Nolan.

The cute birthday boy has been celebrating since Saturday. We had a party at our house for friends and family and Nolan had so much fun!!! He was certainly the "host with the most" and did not get overwhelmed at all by all the hustle and bustle around him. I promise to post party pics tomorrow~today is all about the actual birthday :)

Bill took the day off from work so we could spend a family day together to celebrate our sweet little Roo Bear. We decided to go to Concord Mills Mall. We had a yummy lunch and then went to Build a Bear. What a fun place!!! Roo Bear got his birthday boy sticker and then we picked out a bear. (they actually have a WASHABLE velvety bear with embroidered eyes just for little ones~FABULOUS!!) Then we headed over to the attire section so Daddy could pick out the bear's outfit. We narrowed it down to two choices (for once it was nice for boys not to have a huge assortment of clothing to choose from~ all you mommies of boys know what I am talking about!!) and let Roo decide. So....the Carolina Panthers uniform it is. He is his father's child :)
Nolan was fascinated by the process of making his new "lovie". He actually doesn't have a lovie at the moment, so we are very hopeful his birthday bear will do the trick! He really loved it when the lady put the stuffing in the bear and he just kept pointing and talking to the machine. Again, he is his father's child!! Anyway, the bear is adorable and we all had such a blast making Nolan's new lovie.

Then on to the carousel we went!! Nolan absolutely loves riding the carousel so he got a turn with Daddy and then Mommy, too!! He loves the lights and the music and he justs talks to all the horses. He is so adorable!!

After a quick power nap and a failed attempt at a real nap, Nolan was up and ready for his second party. Aunt Stacey and Cousin Katie came over to play with all of Nolan's new birthday toys and Mamaw and Papaw Kearney came over too. Nolan had his very first cheese pizza for his birthday dinner. And for dessert, special cupcakes made by mommy :) After that it was straight to the wash down (i.e., the bath for all of the non-Thomas the Tank Engine fans). Then more playing with all the new toys. He just finally went to sleep after his very fun birthday!!

Thank you to everyone who called, sent cards/gifts/emails, etc. We really appreciate having such special friends and family. Everyone truly helped make Nolan's birthday so very special :)

Nolan is such a gift from God and we feel truly blessed to be his parents. We are looking forward to many more big boy adventures with our little Roo. So, Happy 1st Birthday little man!! We love you more than words can say!!!

The Countdown is ON!!

(older picture of Nolan in his crib, but I love this one and I am feeling a little sentimental this morning!!)


It is official!! Nolan will be a 1 year old in exactly one week!!! I can't believe what an amazing year it has been with this precious little boy. He warms my heart every time I see him. For example, this morning when I went to get him from his crib, he started smiling and jumping up and down. Then as I am giving him the standard good morning hug and greeting, I hear a sweet little "mama" in my ear. Although he has been saying "mama," "dada," and "bubba" (for Riley) for quite awhile, it still melts my heart!! He has the sweetest little voice and I treasure each and every little word. So, the countdown is on to my baby boy becoming a toddler. WOW!!!

What a Blessed Day

Congratulations to the Atnip Family!! Baby Lizzie was born yesterday to VERY happy parents after a VERY long wait. Check out pictures of the beautiful baby and proud parents at Courtney's blog. I wish I could be there to meet her!! Nolan is very excited to welcome another future Tennessee Volunteer into this world :)

Also, belated Congratulations to the beautiful Akin family. They welcomed their sweet little boy, Hudson, last week. I am so excited to finally meet him tomorrow!! Nolan and I are looking forward to many playdates together with Hudson and his mommy :)

May God continue to shower his blessings on these new families!! Enjoy each and every moment with your precious little ones!!