Ho ho ho

Kale's 3 month pictures far exceeded anything we had imagined. He was uber smiley - which is the exact opposite of how Nolan usually is at his professional pic appointments! We even managed to get a picture of both of the boys together - although Nolan refused to smile. That's ok - it's a great memory! As I look at the pictures of the 2 of them together I'm reminded of how I was with my sister Gina. Gina was always the super smiley one, and I was never real smiley, but I also didn't cry a lot, either. They always say you'll have a kid who is just like you when you were young. I think I'm going to get that with Nolan! We were going to visit the Santa at EP Center, but found out that an event that had been scheduled in Mound at the senior center for last weekend was rescheduled for yesterday, so we decided to go there instead. Adam and I had very low expectations for our visit with the boys to see Santa Claus. It went well last year, and we figured Nolan would freak out and cry - especially for how pouty he was at the mall for Kale's 3 month pictures! Nolan surprised us and wasn't scared at all. He walked right up to Santa and stared at him - and then gave him a high five. He even sat on his lap with no issues. He is always full of suprises! After visiting Santa we went in to another room where they had a few activities for the kids. Nolan did some coloring while I fed Kale. He also tried to make friends with a few other kids who were there. It's always nice when Nolan steps out of his shell to meet new kids!

Nolan is working really hard on his ABC's and counting. Jane works with the kids every day at daycare, and Nolan is actually retaining some of that info. His favorite thing to do is dance - or as he says, "ancing". His other new favorite phrases include "yummy yummy yummy" when he really likes something he's eating and "where's dada/where's mommy". The other new development is that Nolan has finally learned how to say no. Up until now he has only shook his head no while saying uh uh. We're not sure how we feel about that yet. He's using the word way more often than we like! Nolan also asks Jane quite frequently where Adam is during the day, and Nolan now knows he's "at the office". It's amazing to both of us how quickly he picks up on words now, and how much he remembers!

In the last few weeks Kale has been busy, too. He found his feet, which gives him hours of entertainment - day or night! He is also talking a lot more, and is able to sit in his bumbo. The PT told us last week to work on his neck muscle development side to side, so we practice rolling over from back to tummy quite a bit during the day. I can definitely tell the right side of his neck is still stronger, but we're working at it.

Adam and I are really looking forward to Christmas with the kids, especially Nolan. He loves to open gifts, and says "wow" every time he's excited about something. We didn't get him or Kale a lot of gifts, because we know they'll both be spoiled at our other family events. We're spending Christmas Eve and Day with Adam's family, the day after in Rochester, visiting my grandma next Wednesday and then heading up to my parent's over New Year's weekend. We are all going to be a bit out of sorts, but that's part of the holiday season!