Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day, according to many, is viewed as as silly over-rated holiday.... Flowers, Chocolates, Romantic Dinners, and cheesy, over-sized stuffed animals are typical gifts we frantically purchase for our spouse or special someone. I actually work with one guy that is so against the holiday, he chooses to send a beautiful flower arrangement to his wife every year on ground hogs day- just because!
Anyway, though I am opposed to the spending of money on sweets and flowers and other nonsense, I'm not opposed the idea that we all take a break from our busy schedules and go out of our way to be sure our loved ones feel noticed and appreciated! Whether you do it on February 14th, or ground hogs day, I see no shame in making it a point to lather your favorite people with some love!

This year I feel especially blessed to share my day of love with my two boys. Our big romantic plans include a nice, home-cooked meal together as a family. On the menu we have a slow-cooked roasted chicken served with asparagus and a Paula Dean Potato Casserole I'm trying out! For desert will have Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, a favorite at our house.

Because Nolan loves The Itsy Bitsy Spider, we went with a spider/ insect theme. We got him an "Itsy Bitsy Spider" book, along with "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." Nolan already loves the part:
"That Wriggled, and Jiggled, and Tickled Insider Her!!!"
This was a book that I always loved reading at Grannie Annie's and I was excited to find the same version for Nolan.

Happy Valentine's Day to You All! Remember to see this day as not an over-rated holiday, but a day to remind yourself of your blessings and spread as much of your own love as you can!

I'd like to end on a "Mama Lisa" note today- She always seemed to place importance on Love in our Family and the ability to share this love with everyone you can! A lot of what she has instilled in my sisters and I is to love unconditionally, and to try and see the good in everyone. I see a lot in common between her little life lessons and the message in Luke 6:27-36- The "Love Your Enemies" bit....

Love for Enemies

27“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Happy Love Day- There always seems to be so much to be thankful for, and so much to love! If anything, try loving someone who may seem as though they don't deserve it! It could speak volumes and they could be more deserving or in need than you think!

Nolan's 6th and 7th Month!

Nolan has grown so much in the last two months, and has passed some milestones as well! Since my last blog, Nolan and I did take a trip to the Dr. for his 6 month Check-Up!
No trip to the Dr. is fun, but this one was especially traumatic for our little guy. Actually, I'm pretty sure we left this appointment in such a panic, I didn't make it out with his exact measurements... You see, there are double the vaccinations at the 6 month appointment- he had to get two shots in each leg at the same time! As i tried to hold and comfort him, I noticed blood all over the table and his little shirt. My initial reaction was to wipe his clothes off with my hand so I could then hold him and try to calm him down. Within seconds of me doing this, the nurse informed me, the blood I had on myself and my son was HERS! I was livid, and she was frazzled..... BY the time I cleaned up, got Nolan settled, and scheduled my next appointment, I wanted to cry and scream along with Nolie. It was awful, and I'm thinking for his next shots I am NOT going alone!

Nolan's measurements based off what I remember at 6 Months:  17.5 lbs and 26.5 inches long??

In these last two months Nolan has also cut two adorable teeth on the bottom, and has managed to stay pretty healthy. He sleeps mostly through the night, but will have his occasional weeks in which a schedule is a thing of the past. He's not a crawler yet, but might as well be! He scoots, rolls, and back peddles his way to any toy in sight. I see crawling in the very near future. Buying outlet covers and cabinet locks is on my to-do list!
Nolan's also trying to grow hair. It's definitely blond right now, and he has an adorable little calic on top that I just love! 

He eats like a big boy- He has cereal every morning and before bed followed by a bottle. He also is eating solids for lunch and sometimes dinner. He loves Apples with Bananas, and Mixed Veggies with Whole Wheat Pasta.

Nolan's "Likes"

Singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider
Reading all of his books before bed
Taking LONG baths

Drinking Water from his Sippy Cups
Giving High Fives to Anyone Who Wants One
Bouncing and Rocking when he's Sleepy
Watching Mickey Mouse and Doing the Hot Dog Dance
Bouncing in his Hippo Chair
Favorite Toy still = The Remote Control, and not the one he got for Christmas!
Favorite Books still = Good Night Moon and Chicka Chicka 

Nolan is now saying Mom, but only when he is crying and needing comforted.... I think it's pretty sweet though!

Cannot believe you already 8 Months Old Nolan Jay- We love you more with each new day!!