The last few weeks were filled with lots of Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, and Nolan excitedly opening another door on our Advent calendar. I never thought he'd be so excited to open it! He would rush and grab it first thing every morning, so curious to see what the new picture would be. He was very excited for Christmas and for Santa to come. I think he was mostly excited for presents (what kid isn't?!), seeing family, and Christmas cookies.
On Christmas Eve we went down to Jason's parents'. We had lunch and then opened presents. Everyone was very generous with the gifts they gave! Nolan made off like a bandit! He did such a good job waiting to open his presents. It was so hard for him, because we open presents one person/present at a time, so he had to wait awhile in-between opening his presents. As soon as he opened his jammies from us (we give the kids new jammies to wear home on Christmas Eve), he had to put them on. So cute. He also opened some of Williams presents, since he's too little to know what's going on.
Nolan had a ton of fun playing with Blake and Brunson. He made a fort with Blake that they had lots of fun playing in. Then later that night we went to Alissa and Derek's for the Germscheid Christmas party. Nolan had lots of fun playing with the kids there. He loved their bunk bed, which made me nervous because he almost tried to get off the top by climbing down the side instead of the back. He has no fear! It's scary sometimes.
The party was fun; it's always a good time chatting with everyone and there's always so much good food. Colleen, Jason's mom, wanted an updated picture of the entire family. We brought our camera to use for the picture, and Jason was holding Nolan and adjusting the camera while everyone was sitting down posing, ready to smile. Nolan took this opportunity to get attention, grinned and loudly said, "Hi everybody!" He's such a ham. All in all Christmas Eve was a success.
On Christmas morning Nolan came into our room and didn't remember that it was Christmas. We told him Santa came last night and he paused for a few moments while it sunk in and then said slowly, "Whoooooooa!" It was adorable. Then I told him that because he was sleeping when we got home last night, I set out the cookies and milk for him and we should go see if Santa ate them. Nolan ran out of the room to check. He was in awe and a few different times that morning clarified with me that Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk.
Next we went and opened presents. Nolan was so excited! We opened stockings first, and both boys enjoyed a few little Snickers bars while we opened. I opened William's while he played with toys we already had. Nolan went back and forth between wanting to open all his presents at once and wanting to play with each present he opened. Then he got to open William's presents again.
After a breakfast of cinnamon buns we went to my parents'. We had a late brunch there with yummy rolls and Danishes and an egg bake Jason and I made. Then we opened presents. Again, everyone was so generous! It's been hard finding a palace to put everything. Nolan had so much fun playing with Abigail that afternoon.
My parents hosted Christmas dinner with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Nolan had a blast running around with Abigail, Max, and Lola (my cousin Erik's kids). He also loved going downstairs into the newly cleaned out and updated basement and playing with the foosball table. He can't stop talking about it! William loved running around like he usually does and being a little ham. It was fun to catch up with everyone and eat more yummy food. It was a great Christmas!
The boys are doing well, as usual. William had his 15 month well check. He is 21 lbs, 13 oz, 33rd%, and 2'7", 37%. His height keeps going back and forth like Nolan's did, only he is shorter than Nolan ever was. He is a healthy guy and did very well at his checkup. I'm hoping he starts talking more, although the doctor said it sounds like he's on track right now. We're supposed to see a big increase by 18 months, so hopefully we will. The poor boy has been teething like crazy! At 12 months he had 4 teeth and by the 15 month checkup he had 11 going on 12. Now two weeks later he has cut his top eye teeth. All he needs now are his bottom eye teeth and then we'll hopefully have a nice long break until his two year molars. He has been doing very well despite the teething, though. His sleep is poor right when a tooth is first cutting through. This week with the eye teeth cutting through his naps have been very short.
The boys have been sleeping in the same room for a little over two weeks. It's going well on nights when William's not in too much teething pain, and not so well on the painful teething nights. Ideally I'd like the boys to have their own rooms, which they will when we move, whenever that may be. But it is nice to have our bedroom back again! Although I do miss having a tv in the front room. Jason would love to buy a new tv, so we'll see.
Happy early New Year!
Time to sweep!
Check out that big molar
Happy guy
Such a trooper during teething
Nolan kept kissing Liam...he loved it!
Tired guy... Still loves sticking out his tongue!
I adore him
He was hugging me so hard...so sweet
Naked sit and spinning
Goofy guys on Christmas
Checking out the cookie crumbs Santa left
Christmas Eve outfits
No nap on Christmas Eve... Help me!
Poor Keegs watching us leave
William facetiming with Cookie Monster
Nolan excitedly telling me what he wants for Christmas while Keegan is mean mugging
Little ham
Kisses for Dino
He loves when I peek at him from the top of the steps
Helping me make nana bread
Little Einstein
Crazy hair after his nap
Doing the dishes in underwear...
Nolan giving Liam a bear hug
Nolan didn't mean to, but he cut out a Gustavus crown. Must be a sign he's going to be a Gustie!
Peek! I see you
Bath time fun
He will not stop drinking bath water
Water helps with a crabby boy!
The boys helped me make cookies. And yes, Nolan is trying to eat the dough!
