"First" Days

Last Tuesday was Lauren's first day of 4-year-old preschool. She is attending the same school, but has new teachers this year - and most of her friends from last year are in her class. She has been having so much fun...and with her being gone 4 days this week (instead of 3 like last year), I am able to get alot of things done while she's there! Here's a picture of her before her 1st day:

















Her other big first took place this Monday - she went to her ballet & tap class. I couldn't help peeking through the glass to watch her and she did so well! She really had the rhythm down and was doing great for her first time. She loved it and asked me this morning if she could go every day. Here's a picture of our little ballerina:

Playroom Makeover

Since May I have been working on redoing the kids playroom. When you walk into our house, it is the first room to your left. And, although there are solid wood French doors that can be closed, I wanted it to be a room that was somewhat pulled together and organized. It took me a while to figure out a color scheme, since it had to work for both Lauren and Nolan (eventually). But, once I found what I wanted, it was a lot of fun to plan and buy things little by little (thanks to my husband for allowing me to use some of our tax refund for this project!).

Lauren loves her new playroom and spends all her free time in there. I had so much fun planning, decorating and watching it all come together. And I'm very pleased with how it turned out...not only is it functional and organized, it is fun! I hope it is a room that the kids will enjoy for years to come. Here are some pictures (click on the pictures to enlarge):

Getting Ready for Fall

Once again I have been slacking on my blogging duties! The time just seems to get away from me - how can it be that it's almost September already?!?

Lauren will start school on Tuesday, followed next week by Awana's (Sunday evenings) and a ballet/tap dance class (Monday afternoons). I am so excited for her to join the Awana's program at our church and I'm hoping it will really reinforce the Bible learning we've been doing at home with her. I am also thrilled to have found an amazing dance studio that is christian-based. Their whole goal is to teach children to use dance to glorify God. Each lesson begins with a prayer and a reading from the Psalms about praising the Lord with dance. I think she will absolutely LOVE it!

As for Nolan, we tried cutting the dose of his Prilosec in half, in hopes that he was outgrowing his reflux and might be able to go without the medication. But, after a few days, he was really struggling and not eating well. So, the doctor recommended we put him back on the full dose. Initially, I was really discouraged by this. I didn't want him to be that child that was on medication for his whole first year. But, then during my quiet time one day, the Lord gave me a peace about it and showed me that I need to stop comparing Nolan to the baby Lauren was...and just enjoy the child he is - medical problems and all!

We have also started solid foods recently - his favorites being carrots and sweet potatoes (he even prefers them to fruit!). He is starting to sit up on his own, which makes it so much easier to take him places, and he just learned how to push himself up on all fours - yikes! I'm not quite ready for him to be mobile yet, so I'm a little nervous about this next phase. But, he is a lot of fun and a very smiley boy! Here are some recent pictures:







In his highchair eating cereal













Wearing the shirt that daddy bought him

Back Home

I’m sorry it has been so long since I’ve posted anything – since we returned from Oregon, we’ve been busy getting ready for school and readjusting to life back here in NC.

Our vacation back home was wonderful! Lauren had so much fun playing with her cousins and getting special time with her Grandma & Papa, Grandma & Grandpa and Auntie Kelly. I also had opportunities to get out on my own (thank you mom!) for the first time since Nolan was born. I was able to go see two movies in the theater and get together with some of my girlfriends for dessert. We made countless memories with our families – ones that I will cherish in the long months to come…until Christmas when we can see them all again.

For me, the best part of being in Oregon was that Nolan seemed to suddenly improve overnight. He was like a different baby – taking better naps, eating without screaming and so smiley! His struggles have burdened my heart so heavily for the past few months that it truly felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. And while he still has days that are difficult (doesn’t every baby?!?), they are so few and far between now. I look back on the last few months and see it as a time when the Lord truly taught me reliance on Him. I knew that He was in control of the situation and that He would give me the strength I needed to persevere. And that is just what He did - He carried me through to the other side and delivered me through the fire. I am so thankful that I stuck with it and didn’t give up on nursing Nolan – I have finally reached that day that I dreamed of where I can enjoy it again. He is such a blessing!

More pictures from our trip:









I love my Aunt Kelly!!







Hanging out with Grandma (Ryan's Mom)







All the cousins

More Pictures

Lauren & her best buds









My handsome boy










Playing in Grandma & Papa's pool













Look how tall I am!