Happy First Birthday, Nolan!

Nolan turned one on November 2nd! He woke up on his first birthday and was so excited to play with his toys! He loves his new lawn mower.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and put a candle in Nolan's french toast sticks for breakfast.
After church, Nolan went for his first ride in his new wagon from Pops and MoMo.

He loved it so much and cried when he stopped moving!

Nolan discovered something new to push around!

Nolan had a few more presents to open, and then we went to a Doherty family party to visit with Uncle Den and Aunt Harriet who were in from Baltimore.

Mommy cannot believe Nolan is one!

Mommy made a picture decoration for Nolan's birthday party starting with his newborn photo and ending with a pumpkin farm photo. The pictures were hung on a ribbon and served as a reminder of Nolan's first year and how much he has grown. Here is a picture of Nolan every month on his birthday.

Newborn~November 2, 2007

One Month Old

Two Months Old

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

Five Months Old

Six Months Old

Seven Months Old

Eight Months Old

Nine Months Old

Ten Months Old

Eleven Months Old

One Year Old

Mommy and Daddy were especially excited to celebrate Nolan's birth since Nolan's arrival made us parents. Being a parent is the single greatest experience, and we have loved every minute with Nolan. Nolan is the greatest gift, and our lives are forever changed for the better! This first year of life has been filled with many firsts and incredible memories, and we know there are many, many, many more to come. Time is going by too quickly which is why we make every moment and day count. Mommy remembers every detail of Nolan's arrival, and it seems like just yesterday. How has one year already gone by? People say that we will blink, and Nolan will be 18...they might have something there! Nolan is such an amazing baby and a little miracle who is celebrated everyday.

Here are some favorite things about Nolan:

His contagious smile that lights up a room

His pleasant, happy disposition

His love of life and people

His many firsts

His incredible excitement

His babbles and "words"

His love of books

His love of music

His excitement while playing with his toys

His ability to amuse himself and play independently

His growing confidence as he takes more and more steps each day (even turning the corner on foot)

His gentle, sweet nature

His love of being outside swinging, going for walks, going for wagon rides, etc.

His appetite and being a good eater

His ease with transitions (he had his last bottle in the morning on November 5th and had a cup of milk at lunch and never thought anything of it)

His incredible innocence

His ability to make others smile and laugh

His curiosity and keen observation skills (he really takes it all in)

His ability to follow simple directions and be a good listener

His sweet personality

His excitement with trying new things

His good sleep habits

His love of looking out our big windows at animals, cars, people, pets and anything else going by

His enthusiasm with learning a new skill

His laid-back temperament

His love of fingerplays, songs, rhymes and peek-a-boo

His arrival that has brought more joy and happiness than we could ever have hoped for

Happy, happy birthday, Nolan!

Nolan's Birthday Party

Nolan's First Birthday Party was on Saturday! It was lots of fun! Nolan pushed the bar stool around, which is one of his favorite things to do.
He enjoyed his birthday dinner-lasagna, garlic bread and salad.

Nolan sat between Grandpa and Pops for dinner.

He received lots of presents!

Nolan helped open a few gifts, and then he had enough.

He loved his new xylophone/piano, and that kept him busy for awhile.

Nolan was surrounded by gifts! What a lucky boy!

He became very overwhelmed, and he was not feeling the best. It is always the way that children get sick on special occasions. What a sad baby!

Here is Nolan's birthday cake!

Nolan rallied while we sang "Happy Birthday!"

He blew out his candle and made a great wish!

Mommy cut the cake...

and Nolan dug in!

Yum, yum!

Blue frosting is so good!

The birthday boy wore his hat.

His cousin Henry joined him.

Nolan and GG

Nolan and Noni

Nolan with Grandpa and Uncle Colin

Nolan with Daddy and Mommy

Nolan with Pops and MoMo

Nolan and Aunt Maura

Nolan was so ready for bed! Thanks for the great birthday wishes and gifts! It was a fun party for a fun boy! We cannot believe that Nolan is one year old!

Nolan's First Halloween

Nolan had a great first Halloween! Halloween was the last of Nolan's first holidays. Mommy was in the hospital getting ready to have Nolan last Halloween, and we can't believe all that has happened in one year!

Nolan's day started with a visit to Mommy's school. The staff members were so excited to see Nolan and couldn't believe how much he has grown! Some of Mommy's students from last year and their parents saw Nolan, too. They couldn't believe how big "baby Nolan" was! We stayed for the morning parade with Isabella (aka Abby Cadabby) and Heather.

Then, we went to Daddy's work to show everyone our little panda! Daddy's co-workers just love Nolan and were happy to see him on Halloween. We had lunch with Daddy and enjoyed visiting everyone!

Pops works down the street from Daddy, so we stopped at St. Ignatius to visit Pops and his co-workers. They could not believe how big Nolan was, too! The high school students really loved Nolan, and Nolan loved all the activity that was going on.

Nolan crawled around on the gym floor and thought it was so much fun!

Mommy and Pops thought Nolan was going to take a nap on the floor...

But he quickly saw Pops and played a game of chase!

When Daddy came home from work, we walked up and down our block and ran into Nolan's friend, Ryan.

Daddy worked at the Marist football game, so Mommy and Nolan went to Pops and MoMo's house to visit with them and see their neighbors. Nolan liked the bonfire.

He crawled up to the front door...trick or treat??!!

He loved his Halloween light-up wand.

Nolan helped control the tunes.

Nolan fell fast asleep on the short walk home while Mommy talked to a few neighbors.

His pacifier fell out and was held by Nolan's left arm. Nolan was out for the night!

Nolan enjoyed his first Halloween and loved seeing everyone! He was the cutest little panda and LOVED his costume so much! Nolan even slept in his costume!

We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!