Joyous July!

 The month of July created a photo explosion!  I was trying to get more photos of Nolan before our new baby arrived and then once that happened i was snapping away again!  There were so many things that i wanted to do with Nolan while it was "just the two of us".  We didn't get to all of them but we definitely got to spend some good quality time together.  The month was busy with all sorts of things like a water park play date, watching Olympics (while Nolan shouts out "gitchies" at the swimmers), eating yogurt (with spy gear), roasting marshmallows, playing with backhoes, swinging, napping (thank you Jesus for those), being cute, bbqing and visiting daddy's job site.  Then there were some not so fun things like a random 3 day fever and a head collision with concrete :(  

Nolan is growing up so much and always willing to lend a helping hand.  He is definitely more inclined to obey when he thinks something is special.  Which has caused him to say "oh wow!" for things that are just so ordinary.  He can be fierce and so sweet all in the same second.  He says "bless you" to strangers when they sneeze, he says thank you & your welcome (usually together) and thinks that he will get anything he wants as long as he says "please!!!" He goes through phases of almost out eating us but has sadly become a picky eater as most toddlers are.  He loves pancakes, peanut butter, yogurt & meat, lol.  He is still doing really great in his big bed and even after telling him several times that he CAN get out by himself...he still won't.  It was great in the beginning but now it would be nice if he would come out on his own after his naps and when he wakes in the morning.  I guess i would rather have it this way though.  Rather than him climbing out every second ;)  His potty skills have gone back and forth and most of that being my fault for starting him too soon.  But we push through as with every new and challenging phase and eventually we will look back and hardly remember...right?    

 And then we became four!  July 20th our sweet little Everett arrived :)  It is so neat to see the love that Nolan has for his little brother already.  Nolan is not a very huggy & kissy kid but he always wants to hug and kiss Everett.  They have bedtime stories together and I often see Nolan playing right beside where Everett is, as if he is showing him his toys...its just too cute! 

We were blessed by friends who made us some delicious meals in the first week after Everett arrived.  Some of which i have incorporated into my recipe box, yum!  Everett's first outing was Starbucks...the same day he was born (hooray for free drinks).  The last touch in the nursery was creating a nursing nook with a footstool, pillows & blanket from Ikea.  I have thoroughly enjoyed that spot as i do visit it quite often.  I also treated myself to a new pair of coloured skinny jeans (purple).  So happy to buy something that wasn't maternity-ish, lol! Our mornings have gotten even more lazy and my coffee & toast have become even more delicious and needed :)  I love love love snuggles with my boys.  I am desperately trying to get as many as i can these days.

 Our dear dear sister in law Melissa flew out to be with me and the boys for a few days and lend a hand wherever she could.  The time we spent together was amazing and i can't thank her enough for helping me out so much.  We were able to make a few dozen cookies and five different freezer meals for us to enjoy in the weeks to come.  We did take some time to relax and hit up the nail salon for a pedicure. Everett was only a week old and i felt so blessed to be out and about and feeling great!  Nolan loved having auntie Melissa around.  They got to spend a little extra time together so that i could take some special time with Everett.  I truly appreciated every second of her visit.

So July was hopping but it was full of love and excitement as our family grew.  We just absolutely love our boys!