Part One

Here is part one of our week at Nana's.

Nolan and I arrived in Levelland on Monday, around 4pm. The ride up wasn't too bad, until 2pm, when he had had enough of his car seat...tears, tears, and more tears! Anyway, he finally fell back to sleep and then we arrived at mom's (yea!). Once we got there, not much happened...he went straight to Nana and was loved on by his cousins. I think the funniest part of the evening was when dad came home and said hi to baby Nolan and not his baby Lauryn...the look on her face was priceless! It was a good day, and we were happy to be out of the car!

Tuesday was another laid back day. We woke up, got ready, and just hung out at mom's all day. V and Monica came home from work, so Nolan spent time with both of them. Lexi and Lauryn entertained us as usual, and then dad came home. Brady called me to tell me that the company gave them the day off tomorrow, after all, so he'll be coming in sooner (yea!) Later that night, Monica, V and I went to Wal-Mart (one of many trips). I did some last minute shopping for Brady (and still forgot some stuff!). We got home and that was the end of that day.

Finally, Christmas Eve. We woke up and got ready again, and then V and I went to Wal-Mart one more time...still some last minute shopping, and I finally invested in a belt! Monica, Lexi and Lauryn showed back up that afternoon and the girls showed us what all they got from their mommy and daddy...new Ipods=Best. Christmas. Ever! V and Monica spent the rest of their afternoon in the kitchen making some goodies, and then Brady arrived! He and Nolan then took a nap until it was time to go to Aunt Susie's for Christmas dinner and presents. We arrived and after everyone got a chance to hold and kiss Nolan, we had supper...tamales, tamales, and more tamales! Yum-o! When it came time to open presents, Nolan got hungry, so I opened them all for him and took pics of the rest of the family.

We made $20 from Aunt Mo, alone, with this shirt!

(it says: $5 for the first kiss, $2 each additional kiss; taxes may apply)

He liked his bear, even though he wasn't sure what it was.

We then cleaned up, loaded all of Nolan's goodies and went back to mom and dad's so they could get ready for church, I could get a tired baby ready for bed, and then we could all wait up for mom, dad, Monica and Lexi to get back from church to open up more gifts. Church started at 11pm and didn't let out til 12:15, so around that time, Lauryn was getting sleepy, so she and I then decided to seperate the gifts for everyone. Nolan, Lauryn and Lexi, of course, had the most...I had the least. No big deal, I got to open Nolan's!

Reindeer footsies : )

Lauryn getting sleepy w/aunt V

all of Nolan's presents (front and back)

We opened up all the presents, and then it was time to dream of sugarplums and wait for Santa...

...we'll see what Santa brought us in part 2.

Our little family

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Over the river and through the woods

We are on our way to Na-na's today! Or at least Nolan and I are...Brady will be making the trip on Wed.

My cousin, Ruben and his silly son, Abraham, are coming to pick Nolan and I up to venture to good ol' Levelland! He should be here any minute actually.

Anyway, I will be taking lots of pics, so get ready for a Christmas update, or 2!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Merry Christmas!

Do you like my moose?

Christmas with the Wrights

This weekend, we went back up to Midlothian for Christmas with Brady's family, since we will be making a trip to the dirt for actual Christmas Day. It was a good weekend spent with family and a preview of what Nolan just didn't get.

When we arrived Friday, not much happened...we ate supper and that's about all. Brady's mom asked us if we would all be ready for Christmas at 9am Saturday, so that was the time we agreed on. So, we all went our seperate ways and would see each other for "Christmas" morning the next day.

Saturday morning started for me and Nolan around 8am...of course little ones get too excited and have to wake up everyone else! So, we saw "Santa" putting a few last minute items in our stockings while he took his bottle. Then aunt Val and uncle Nick arrived and we were waiting on uncle Benton and aunt Cindy. By this point, Nolan was ready to sleep again, and he did. While he slept, everyone else opened their gifts and I took a few pictures.

Jamma got her favorite picture of Nolan, Nick got golf stuff and a propane tank (his fave), Cindy got some pj socks, and Val got a cd.

Then my little man woke up and it was his turn. I sat him in his bumbo and this is what happened...

...a whole lot of nothin'. He could have cared less about grabbing or looking at the paper or presents. He kept looking at his aunt Val taking pics, or at me trying to get him to hold onto paper, or at Brady asking him what he got. He was too funny! He got some good stuff though...a few books, a rattle (he's got it in his hand), a music toy, some shake-n-go cars, linclon logs, clothes and lots of other good stuff!

After that, we ate breakfast, I had breakdown and escaped to Wal-Mart (i know, what an escape), and when I came back the place had cleared out...or at least for a few hours before the rest of the family came over.

Around 4pm or so, the rest of the Wright clan arrived for Christmas dinner. While Jamma and Pop finished up the cooking, we all sat-waiting patiently and watching ELF (Best. Movie. Ever.). Nolan spent some time with his Pa-pa and that was just too cute listening to them talk to each other! We then ate a wonderful dinner and opened some more presents.

Nolan and Pa-pa

The family, scattered about

Brady, and Sissy while she "squeezed" Nolan

Nolan and Pop

Nolan and Jamma (he was sleepy, so this was the best pic)

4 Generations of Wright men

Once we finished exchanging gifts and cleaning up, we decided to move the party over to Shonda's house to play games. Once we arrived there, we realized that we didn't have enough cards, so Sissy and Jeff went home to get some, and they found Win, Lose or Draw...hellooooooo 80s! Guess what we played first? Win, Lose or Draw, was too much fun, and that could have been cause I was on the winning team of me, Brady, Val and Jeff-we Rocked!!! After that we got in a game of Shang-hi (sp?), which is always fun. There were quite some entertaining moments throughout the night, and one obnoxious passer-by, but whatever, we had fun!

Val being silly, Nick and his wonderful drawing (can you guess what it is?), and Jeff and Sissy.

We came home on Sunday and were glad to be home. Until next time...

Bumbo

So, our child has decided that sitting back is no longer an option. He would rather be sitting upright and looking around, so now when I am getting all of his things together in the morning, he would rather be in his bumbo than his bouncy. He looks like such a big boy sitting in the bumbo and I absolutely love it!

This hat was made by my friend Meredith, and I hadn't put it on him so I wanted to see if it fit...the verdict came in as a negative. But come on...that is just too cute!

What is that?

I think everyone knows how iffy I am about Mancy, our bulldog, being around Nolan...however, I can't prevent it. I want the dog to be comfortable around Nolan and vice versa, but I get really on edge, really on edge. Anyway, here is a cute pic from the other night (I think sometime last week).

Tummy Time and Christmas

So we've been doing some tummy time, but probably not enough. I'm not very good at doing what I tell other parents to do on a daily basis...as soon as Nolan starts to cry, when on his tummy, I am Supermom to the rescue! However, Jamma and Pop got him to do it when he was with them last weekend, for about 10 minutes (where I can only do it for about 30 seconds), so that's good. Anyway, here are some pics from our last attempt.

As you can see, he loves his tummy.

Anywho, onto yesterday. Yesterday was pictures with Santa at our office, so Nolan got to get his pic made too (none of you get to see it yet though, cause those are Christmas cards). I will show you how he was dressed for the day though, both before and after.

And here are pics of him waiting to tell Santa everything he wants for Christmas

So, Merry Christmas for now...cards will be mailed as soon as I get around to it!

Because Val asked me to...

Subject: Christmas Quiz



Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy and paste; change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!



1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but I don't have any bags this year, so Paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Don't have one, but it would probably be artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? If I had one, probably after Thanksgiving, like everyone else in my family.

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? Blech and Gag.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Anything from my Grandparents, they just mean too much.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Brady!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Lexi and Lauryn.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nolan does, Thanks Jamma!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but email maybe easier, hmm...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A cook book...I don't cook!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? ELF

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeah, that cook book from #11.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Whatever is at the dessert table :)

16. Lights on the tree? Of course.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Traveling to my parents.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Mom has an Angel; I don't know what I'll use.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve, usually...I can't wait too long!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Putting on 5+ pounds from that dang dessert table!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? The first ornament Brady bought me and our W

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey and/or tamales.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want Nolan to have a blessed first Christmas; what I asked for was clothes and shoes (I'm such a girl)!

Stay Tuned

I will hopefully be updating this soon. It's hard to hold a baby and type...I'm just saying. Anyway, not much has happened, we went to Brady's faculty Christmas party on Friday and have taken Nolan's first pics with Santa. Maybe you'll get to see them sometime tomorrow. Later.

I miss him.

So, it's 9pm on Thursday, do you know where your kids are? Mine is with his Jamma and I miss him terribly!

This weekend is Brady's work party, so we thought that we would send Nolan to stay with Jamma and Pop for the weekend...good idea and bad idea. I'm not good at saying bye to my baby, which I suppose is a good thing, but it's just too hard. We met Jamma and aunt Val in Hillsboro, and I just didn't want to let him go (until he pooped!). It doesn't make it easy either when he is crying cause he's sleepy and wants his mommy to rock him, so I had to just walk away and feel my heart shatter. I hate that feeling. Anyway, I know he's in great hands and I wouldn't have felt safe in finding a babysitter just for tomorrow. We love our Jamma!!!

So, now that the kids are away, what to do...? Why eat out at Ihop, of course! I know. Just point me towards the retirement home. It was good, although, like I told Brady, I'll regret eating there in the morning (actually, I already do). And, now I'm at home writing a blog about missing my son cause I don't know what else to do with myself. Blah.

I hope Jamma took pics of Nolan today, once they got home, cause he looked so cute!!! If you did, Jamma, email me so I can post them!

*sidenote*
there's another reason why I titled this post as "I miss him." When Brady and I pulled in tonight, we came through the garage, where my parents had left a box of things they brought me from my Grandma's house. Grandma passed away right before Nolan was born, and I'm still haveing trouble with that. So, I hadn't looked through it yet and still really haven't, but I picked up her green mixing bowl that she used to mix everything in, and came across my Grandpa's dominos. That took my breath away. Mom never told me that she found them, so at that moment, and right now, I am beside myself with the memories that fill my mind. Memories of us playing dominos and cards; Memories of Grandma getting mad at Grandpa for teaching me how to play those card games, only cause I wound up beating her; Memories of bingo; Memories. Memories of all my grandparents, but mostly this set of grandparents, who I spent everyday with. It's so hard to believe that they are gone. It's harder to realize that they don't know my son and my little family.

I guess my title should be "I miss them."

This is a hard time of year, but that's what makes my family stronger. I love you all, take care of each other.

Turkey Day

I'm finally getting around to making an actual post, so it will be about our Thanksgiving holiday.

First off, Nolan was picked up by his Jamma and Pop on Tuesday night just so he could spend more time with them, and so I could have an easier time packing! I had been asking Brady to call his parents to see if they wanted to pick him up early on Wednesday, but he never did until around 8pm on Tuesday night...needless to say, they jumped in the car to get their grandson. In the hour it took them to get here, I managed to get everything he needed (for that night and next day) all packed and ready to go. Once they showed up I decided to wake him and change his diaper, as well as put on his pjs, while Brady put his carseat in their car. We then walked them out and before I could change my mind, Jamma was already to the car loading my little man into his seat! So, I caved, said goodbye, then returned to our couch and cried for about 30 minutes...maybe longer. Who knew that sending my child off with his own grandparents would be so hard? Other mothers, that's who...why didn't anyone prepare me for this??? I called my sister, Monica, who pointed out to me that I cried because I didn't really think they would come up that night to get him...she got me, I didn't expect that! I was prepared for them to pick him up at daycare the next day, which I would have been fine with cause I wouldn't have to see him go without me! Ugh. So then, Brady and I sat there looking at each other with nothing to do. Seriously. We even stayed up late cause we didn't know what to do with ourselves since Nolan was gone. I joked that I would panic in the morning and that I wanted to still sleep with the monitor on just to have that little green light on in my room! I really missed my baby!

The next morning was weird cause I didn't have to make bottles or drive to daycare, but it was also easier to get all of our stuff together and pack the car. The ride up was so long anyway that I was actually glad that he wasn't with us; our normal hour and fifteen minute drive turned into two and a half...yuck! So we got to Midlothian around 7pm. Brady's dad met us outside and told me I was going to have to fight with whoever had Nolan...ha! I don't think so mister! I walked in to find Nolan with his aunt Val, and simply said, "Give me my baby!" His family thought that was funny...it was, but I wasn't trying to be. It felt so great to have him in my arms, and I honestly didn't put him down until we ate supper and picked him back up at his first peep! It was nice to know that he had a good day with his Pop and Jamma, which I didn't expect him not to, but...

Anyway, on to Thanksgiving day.

We woke, got ready for the day, and then headed over to Granny and Pa-pas. I lost Nolan again to our aunt, Sissy, but only briefly...he was so tired that she gave him right back to me and he fell to sleep. We then ate a wonderful meal, thanks to Granny (her mac & cheese rocks!), Brady setup Rock Band while I read (I'm determined to finish Breaking Dawn!), and then I had to go and sing with everyone playing Rock Band cause, well...I just had to! I wish I had pics of this moment, but I didn't get any...I'll have to ask Sissy. So that was pretty much our day-eat, Rock Band, feed Nolan, card game, Cowboys and Longhorns. We then went home to crash.

check out his kicks

Friday, I woke up with a throbbing head cold, I mean THROBBING! Nolan and I woke up for his first feeding, and as soon as he went to sleep, so did I. Then Jamma came home to take over...Thank you!!! I just didn't feel well that day; Brady came home to ask if I wanted to go eat with his brother and sister-in-law, but I just couldn't do it. I woke up to go meet them, but as soon as Laura (Jamma) found her keys for me to go, I started crying from the pain in my head. So, Friday wasn't a great day...very low key.

Saturday was a little more upbeat, since I was allowed to sleep all night with out baby interruptions, thanks to daddy; although, daddy was on duty for a child who sleeps all night, hmm... Anyway, I woke up at 7, which is when Nolan first woke up as well, so I fed him and went back to sleep, which I didn't mean to do. When I finally woke up again, I found Brady watching The Strangers, which I did not want to see. I hate scary movies. Oh, well, I had the baby to keep me busy. We pretty much sat around all day until Sissy's house warming party. We got there just in time to see all the good stuff she racked in and to start a quarters game that we are so not good at. Oh, and Brady had time to break her bed...that was awesome! We then rounded up the siblings to go bowling, which Benton and Cindy opted out of, but Val and Nick still went with us. It was fun even though I am terrible at bowling, seriously, I think my highest game was a 62 and then the slipping and falling, which was graceful to say the least. I know, I know...I blame the magical bowling alley beer, it get ya' every time . So we got home around 1:30 and crashed again.

Sunday we went to Granny's, once we got up and going, cause she had fixed another healthy meal of chicken fried steak-yummy! Again, we ate too much, played cards, rocked the baby, more cards, said goodbye and sat in traffic. Two and a half hours later, we were home with a tired and hungry child (who let us know that for the last 20 minutes of our drive home). Bottle, bed, Happy end of Thanksgiving!

It was a long post, but hey, it's been a week since then...Thanks for reading!