Nolan // eleven months

Nolan Levi | February 3, 2016
Eleven months.  The last one of these posts before he is a year old.  We are in full party planning mode and I can't even believe it.  Time, you are the worst.

Nolan is a daredevil like I've never seen.  His big brother was our cautious one, but this kid scares me constantly.  No fear.  He can stand on his own in the middle of the room so steady.  He walks with his walking toy and often looks like he will take steps on his own.  Taylor found him in the bathroom on the top step of Gideon's bench, pulling stuff off of the cabinet.  Literally into EVERYTHING.  He enjoys pulling books of the shelf, playing in the fireplace, pulling things out of electrical sockets, and putting anything and everything in his mouth.  To say we have to watch him like a hawk is an understatement.

He is saying a few words {talking much slower than Gideon did, obviously since big bro does all the talking these days} like kitty, mama, dada, gi gi, cracker.  He has been sleeping fine {except when we are traveling} and is only waking once a night.  We are weaning right now and hoping to be done and have him sleeping all night by his birthday.  Right now, he only nurses in the morning and before bed so we are getting close and my freedom is within reach.

Other little things: Nolan is starting to wave and interact with strangers.  He is giving smiles more easily these days.  He is still eating great and learned to use a straw cup this month.  He was a ring bearer in his Aunt's wedding {although he did not go down the aisle}.  He loves to play in Gideon's room and LOVE LOVE LOVES bath time.  We are still at eight teeth but have a few more coming in.

Can't believe you are almost one, sweet boy!

Nolan // ten months

Nolan Levi | January 3, 2016
Into a new year we go, and on to ten months with this ginger baby.  Time to start planning a birthday party {entirely too much fun for me!}

This has been a month of big changes for our boy.  After weeks of being on the verge of crawling, he woke up from his nap one day and off he went.  He hasn't stopped since. Crawling, pulling up, standing without holding on, and cruising are his favorite things.  It has forced us to baby proof, but it is also nice that he can get around.  I often find him in Gideon's closet, with big brother, playing. This is such a fun age.

Sleep has been much better this month.  Knock on wood.  He is still waking up once a night, but I am hoping as we wean more, he will stop this utter nonsense.  I found him in his crib at 3 am one night, just standing up and smiling. He cut tooth number seven and is working on number eight as we speak, oh wait, there it is. Only twelve more to go.  #teethingisthepits

Nolan learned to clap right after hitting nine months. It is seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen.  I have to guard my ovaries when he does it, because mama's not ready for that baby fever to hit yet. All you have to do is say "yay" and he will clap.  One of my favorite parts of Gideon's birthday party was right when he blew the candles out and everyone clapped. Nolan joined in after seeing what was happening.

Other little things: Nol had his first Christmas which was a ton of fun!  We visited the chiropractor again because he always responds so well to an adjustment {he finally started crawling the day after this visit!}.  Our Hulk-man is in twelve month clothes and growing out of size 4 diapers.  His current favorite thing is to play with our fireplace screen and pull dad's giant seminary books off the bookshelf.

Happy New Year {and new month} to our Nol!

Nolan // nine months

Nolan Levi | December 3, 2015
Three quarters of a year already.  This is straight up junk, you guys.  I swear I just had this baby and here is basically a man-child.

I wish I could say sleep has changed for the better, but it is still holding steady at status awful.  He's had a few good nights here and there, but still waking up every few hours mostly.  I've stopped even going in his room until at least 4 am.  He's been putting himself back to sleep, so here's hoping this month is the magic month with sleep.

Nolan had a rough month health wise.  He ended up with a rash on his face which was an allergic reaction (he somehow got dairy).  He also had a lot of snot and drainage. I was desperate and took him to the chiropractor again.  She said he was completely out all over, especially his ribs which is probably why he has been hesitant to crawl. He was like a brand new baby after his adjustment!

Speaking of crawling, he is on the cusp.  He rocks and maneuvers himself all over.  We will have full mobile-ness soon.  He is very into pulling himself to his knees or standing.  It's crazy to see him doing these things.

Other little things: We are holding strong at six teeth and probably have a few more coming in.  He is still eating food like a champ.  Loves chicken, peas, green beans, spaghetti, bananas, turkey, or pretty much anything.  He weighed 20 pounds at his last doctors appointment.  He is talking so much more these days and getting animated with his sounds.  My favorite is that he says "gi gi" for Gideon.  He's been laughing up a storm lately, too.

Love you, sugar bear!

Nolan // eight months

Nolan Levi | November 3, 2015
It's November.  And my baby is eight months old.  I'm not going to lie, this past month was a hard one.  With teething nonstop, a stomach bug, and a tiny bit of attachment issues, there were more tears than I thought possible and little, little, little sleep.

Nolan is up to six teeth already!  He is getting them in two at a time and one set right after the other. He is looking so much older with those four top teeth poking down and I love his little smile.  But, teething is a beast for him.  Gideon did not have half the trouble with teething as Nol has and I see I was duped into thinking it wasn't that bad.  It is bad.

Sitting up and playing is a big thing now.  He loves interacting with his brother and we even read some books inside Gideon's teepee this month which had Nolan all sorts of excited.  He pretty much only laughs for G, but does get tickled at a game of pee-a-boo.  We are working on clapping and waving right now and I can see his little wheels turning and trying to figure it out.

Nolan is done with purees and any type of baby food and is full baby led weaning at this point.  He refuses the baby food and loves to eat what we are.  He is so good at picking up the food and self-feeding.  He chews really well, too.  I'm happy with his progress and beginning to like that he can just have what we are having.

Other little things: Gideon visited grandparents for a few days this month which meant Nolan got some one on one time.  He liked it for sure.  He also got to enjoy a weekend in the mountains.  This chunk was the Hulk for Halloween and is in size 4 diapers and 9 month clothes.  Sleep was rough this month, but the past week has been better.  I'm night weaning him right now and it seems to be working!  He is starting to get frustrated that he can't crawl but has gotten up on his hands and knees a few times, rocking back and forth.  It will be no time until he's all over the place.  Watch out Nala kitty.  He's coming for you.

Love you big bear!

Nolan // seven months

Nolan Levi | October 3, 2015
Seven months.  We are getting into that super fun and interactive stage of babyhood.  I love this boy, I love this boy, I love this boy.

At his six month well check, Nolan weighed in just over 18 pounds.  He's not hurting for a meal and loves to nurse and eat.  We have done a mix of baby led weaning and some purees if we are not eating something particularly healthy.  He prefers to get real food.  He is currently working on his pincher grasp and is getting better about getting the food in his mouth.

He is a moving machine.  No crawling yet, but the wheels are turning on it and he is starting to turn himself every which way to get to something he wants.  He sits great on his own and loves being able to interact that way with Gideon.  The two of them is the greatest thing to watch.  They love each other like I've never seen and make each other laugh which is music to my ears.

Nolan has been working on his top two teeth all month which has been less than fun.  There were a couple weeks of awful sleep, but he is slowly getting better and going for longer stretches.

Other little things:  Nol started saying "dada" right at six months.  The past couple weeks he has started to say "mama" a ton and even "baba" for brother since "Gideon" is a bit of a mouthful to say.  He loves to sit up in the bath now and splashes so much he soaks the floor and mama.  He is pretty much in nine month clothes and a few twelve month things.  Excited for the holiday season to start and all the firsts for this sweet bear.

Seven months with my baby boy!

Nolan // six months

Nolan Levi | September 3, 2015
Half a year with this guy! This month has brought the most change and biggest milestone achievements.  He's picked up so many little tricks.

He began rolling just after turning five months old.  Now he is unstoppable.  I've noticed him pushing up on his arms and eyeing toys that are a little further away so I know it won't be too long before I'm chasing him around while he crawls.  Almost time to bust out our baby gates again.  Might be nice to contain our two year old too ;).  He also has started to sit up on his own if we put him that way.  He's getting better and better every time we do it, but still weebles and wobbles and tips right over after a bit.

This month Nolan began taking pretty good and consistent naps in his crib!  Answer to my prayers. And even better yet, we can lay him in there awake and he puts himself to sleep.  All the claps and thumbs up.  It's been super important to us with both boys that they learn to put themselves to sleep. No crying, just talking or snuggling his elephant until he is out.

Other little things:  We are mostly skipping baby food and just been giving him what we eat.  He's had chicken, squash, bread, cantaloupe, pear, peach, and spaghetti.  He got his first tooth just last week and the second this week.  Already working on more!  This has caused some sleep issues at night and I've been getting up a bit more with him.  He never screams or cries at night, just talks until I come and then gives me smiles. He love, love, loves his little stuffed elephant that my mom got it. We named him Wilbur and Nol cuddles him in his crib while he sleeps.  He's such a snuggly bear.

Happy half birthday, sweet boy!

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Nolan // five months

Nolan Levi | August 3, 2015
This party just keeps rolling.  Nolan is the sweetest baby in the world.  I am convinced of it.  He smiles at us all the time and is just so content to be.  I could kiss him all day, every day.

Nol has learned some major motor skills with his hands this month.  He grabs and reaches for everything and has found comfort and relief in putting things in his mouth to chew on.  He loves the teething keys the best and holds on for dear life.  He also is now spending tons of time in his exer-saucer.  He rolled from tummy to back and is so so so close to rolling back to tummy.

We've got a pretty great schedule down this past month.  Usually two to three naps and a consistent nursing schedule.  He's spaced his feedings out now which is a relief to me.  He still will NOT take a bottle and is happy to let me know that he will NOT.  He's been back to sleeping great at night and only wakes once after about 9 to 10 hours of sleep, then goes back down for a few more.

Other little things:  No teeth yet, but he is a drool machine.  Loves bath time, "standing", and being held.  He is a cuddle man.  He only belly laughs at Gideon, but when he gets going it is the best.  He smiles, smiles, smiles all day long.  Has been great in church nursery every week and they always tell me he even takes a little nap (which Gideon never did).  He had his first beach vacation and Fourth of July.

Love you, sugar man!

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Nolan // four months

Nolan Levi | July 3, 2015
The fourth month was a tough one.  Not bad by any means, but tough.  The four month sleep regression hit in waves.  A few nights of getting up three to four times then a night or two of him sleeping ten or eleven hours straight and me thinking all was back to normal to be hit with bad nights again.  Playing with my heart strings or rather my sleepy brain.

Nolan has become super expressive this month.  He smiles big and makes the cutest faces.  He watches and absorbs things and giggles at his brother.  The two of them together gets better every month.  Gideon loves how Nolan is getting more interactive and Nolan has been taken with Gideon from the beginning.

We are working (see trying) to get a nap schedule going for Nolan but it has proven difficult as our days are always different.  He is not fond of napping in his crib and prefers his swing which I would really love to break him of.  He still won't take a bottle... oh, mama needs a break.

Other little things: Nolan is still pretty go with the flow when it comes to outings.  He went to the water park in Charleston (and fell asleep in my arms), to see the angel oak, to the movies, to the pool (and fell asleep in my arms) and the beach. He weighs sixteen pounds and is in the 75th percentile across the board for weight, height, and head size! He loves bath time, chewing on his hands, and has a bottom tooth about to poke through (early teething, ugh).  His hair sticks straight up and is soft, soft, soft and a tiny bit ginger.  He is so close to rolling over, but is pretty good at scooting himself around on his back.

Love you Nolly bear!

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Nolan // two months

Nolan Levi | May 3, 2015
And another month down.  This month was fairly low-key as far as things we had going on.  No trips, not a ton of out of town visitors so it was a pretty accurate look at our new normal.  And, I have to say, I think it is going well.  There is definitely still a margin of trial and error when it comes to parenting two at once, but I'm not terrified anymore when they are both crying at the same time.  I just breathe and determine which one needs me the most first (easier said than done, right?)

This boy is a dream when it comes to nighttime sleep.  He has been going down for bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and usually wakes two or three times until he's up for the morning around 7:00 or sometimes even later!  I'll take it.  He usually just wants a diaper change and a little milk in the night and immediately goes back to sleep.  I feel rested which is all I can ask for.

Last month, I wrote how I was cutting dairy because I was certain he was allergic like Gideon.  Three weeks after cutting, he still seemed uncomfortable and was spitting up after every feeding.  I took him to the doctor (where he weighed in over 11 pounds!) and he was positive he has reflux.  Nolan is now on an antacid (which he despises).  His pediatrician said he thought I could continue eating dairy but I was too nervous to follow through.  Last week, I decided to try taking Nolan to a chiropractor as several people had told me it could help with stomach issues in babies.  I saw a huge difference the first day and he seems more content, although still uncomfortable from reflux at times.  His chiropractor advised that I still stay off dairy since a majority of the time if a sibling is allergic they will be as well.  Long story short, still missing chocolate.

Other little things:  we have seen a few smiles this month.  I hate that the reflux usually causes him to be screaming and upset, but he managed to give us a few good ones.  He mostly reserves them for Gideon, of course.  He loves bath time and mostly sleeps while we are out and about, which is so nice for me.  He's moved up to size one diapers and is getting into mostly three month clothes.  We like to call him our Michelin man because of his arm and leg rolls.  I like my babies chubby.  He will be experiencing his first road trip this week and we are hoping he handles it well.

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Nolan // one month

Well, here we are again with the monthly updates.  I did updates each month on Gideon through his first year (linked below) which was fun and helpful to look back at.  So let's rock and roll with the Nolan chatter, shall we?

Nolan Levi | April 3, 2015
Holy crap, my baby is a month old already.  It's been a month of adjustment as we figure out this whole two kid thing, but overall, I think the transition was much easier than when we had Gideon because we are a little bit familiar with this whole parenting thing.  Not to say it is easy, far from it in fact.  But, we had an idea of what to expect and we knew sleep would be elusive and caffeine flowing a' plenty.  The most difficult thing has been balancing Gideon's needs with Nolan's needs and meeting them both at the same time.  It will get easier as Nolan grows and is less dependent.

I guess it is hard to give an update this month because Nolan has done three things... eat (a ton), sleep (better at times than others), and poop (no elaboration).  His pediatrician said this is all we needed to be concerned about at this time, so we said live and let live, and he did.  At his three day well-check, he had dropped down to 6 pounds, 12 ounces and twelve days later at his two week well-check he weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds, 1 ounce (after emptying his bladder all over the room) which the doctor said is unheard of.  Grow baby, grow.

The major thing we've noticed this month is how agitated his stomach seems to be.  Long story short, congestion, sore bottom, stomach pain and spit up have led us to believe he has the same dairy issues that Gideon had/has so forth coming, mama is cutting dairy....again.  I was totally hoping this wouldn't happen, but it is.  I know I can do it because I've done it before and survived.  I miss you chocolate.

Other little things: he is use to noise while sleeping, i.e. his loud brother, vacuum, etc.  I like it.  He has wide eyes when awake and forehead wrinkles like his daddy.  His fuzzy blonde hair is growing in nicely and if you call my baby bald, I'll smack you.  He's got a little tuft of hair all over.  No real interests yet, other than letting us know when he's not happy.

We love you Nol!


Gideon: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10  // 11 // 12