My baby is 2!!!

How can it be true? Time really flies with this little guy who took over my heart from the day I knew I was pregnant with him! Nolan Michael Blaze....ahhhhh.....the apple of my eye! I can still remember my 26 1/2 hrs. of labor with him, which really wasn't all too bad. I only ended up pushing for 45 min. He was 9 1/2 lbs. and 21 inches long. Born at 0118 on Aug. 31, 2006. I will never forget those 26 1/2 hrs. of sitting in the hospital room watching my mom and Mike eat snacks (remember, I was only allowed ice chips) and Mike drinking Mt. Dew. I was so desperate for a drink of ANYTHING that I would let the ice chips melt and drink the 1/2 ounce of H2O at the bottom of the cup! Mike and my mom went over...and over....and over baby names. Mike wanted the perfect name for our little bundle of joy.

I remember when I first saw Nolan....he looked like a little Sumo wrestler all sprawled out in the isolette! I remember thinking "wow....that is one big baby". First and foremost, we were so happy that he was healthy. He had tons of little rolls and creases on him and just a little bit of peach fuzz hair. I will never forget when my nephew Justin saw him and immediately gave him the nickname of "Tank".

Our Nolan has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. I don't think I ever realized how much I could possibly love another human being. Not that I don't love Mike from the depths of my heart, it's just different when you have a child...I think all parents would agree with that.

There are so many wonderful things about Nolan. He's always been a very happy baby...very animated, very spontaneous (to say the least). He has tons of personality and can light up a room in an instant. He loves to eat (the apple doesn't fall very far from the mommy tree there) and is unbelievably curious about everything (that would be the apple from the daddy tree). I'm amazed when I watch him play and explore...when I listen to him talk to us and have conversations with him as if he's a little adult.....and when I watch him give his unconditional love to others, even strangers (he loves to blow kisses to just about anyone...even men)!

We are so blessed that we have a lot of family to enjoy him and love him like their own. I could go on and on about how much I love Nolan, how wonderful he is, etc. etc. (like any other gushing mother) but I think you already know that. I will just spare you all the sappy stuff and continue to update you and post pics of my baby boy! And hopefully in the next year....we'll expand our home by two more feet!!! God-willing :)

P.S. Nolan had a "Cars" party at Aunt Jen and Unlce Joe's and and "Arthur" party at Grandma Sandy and Pappy Jack's. He had two parties b/c Mike's family is all in PGH and mine is Fayette/Westmoreland Co.

Pics to come very soon!

OCMD Baby!!!

As always, we had an awesome time in OCMD. I really missed my parents not being there but I'm sure they'll make it back with us next year. My mom is still getting back on her feet from the radiation, etc. so this year they took a break (although, they've been busier than ever if you ask me!!!).

This year we went with Mike's brother Scott and his son Devon and we took along my nephew Justin. We stayed at the Sea Watch in rm. 1419 and had an excellent view of the ocean from the balcony. The boys had a blast and felt like they were king of that hotel. They loved drinking chocolate milkshakes and spending time in the gameroom when they weren't on the beach. Both bought new boogie boards (pappy Jack's just weren't cutting it this year for Justin) and loved the ocean.

Nolan absolutely loved the beach this year and he did so well. The boy loves to swim and had no fear of the ocean at all. I think he only got a mouthful or two of saltwater so that wasn't too bad. He still loved the pools at the hotel, also. We also got his pics done professionally at the beach since we didn't get 2 yr. pics at home. He did really well the entire vacation.

We dined at the usual hotspots....Big Peckers, Bull on the Beach, Dumsers, Anthony's and The Bonfire. The guys did the miniature golf and go-carts, of course, and we also road the OC Rocket, which is a speedboat that got us totally soaked. Poor Nolan...he got soaked the worst...even with us shielding him! He was a good sport the entire ride.

I'm so happy that we got to enjoy a vacation with Mike's brother, Devon and Justin. Scott just finished up treatments for his cancer and really needed a vacation away with his son. Also, Devon and Justin had a blast and kept eachother entertained the entire trip...I'm so glad they both got to go. I think Justin thought it was so cool to go on a vacation without his parents!

All in all it was an awesome trip with perfect company and fantastic weather and we all look forward to a return trip next year.

P.S. I got an AWESOME bracelet made of Roman coins...very cool. Any of you who know me know that the way to my heart (well one of the ways, anyhow) is a new bracelet.