The Ringbearer

We had a lot of fun at the wedding last weekend.  Nolan did great in rehearsal, with a little help from some fruit snacks and the best man, Brian.  We were so hopeful he would walk down the aisle, but he just couldn't do it.  Pictures were at 11:30, which interrupted his lunch of a chicken nuggets happy meal.  It was so sad when we had to get him dressed for the pictures, because he told us "all I want to do is eat my happy meal."  After pictures he finished his lunch and then he took a nap on Adam for about an hour and 15 minutes - not quite long enough to get him excited to participate!  The good news is he rallied, and again with a little help from fruit snacks given to him by the best man he stood up there with the wedding party for the vows, the closing prayer and even walked out of the church, holding his cousin Claire's hand!  The best part of the whole thing was when he leaned over before going up for the final prayer, and he let out a loud toot.  Everyone in the first 3 pews heard it, and then looked at the groomsmen.  We all got a good laugh out of it!  The reception was fun, and the highlight for Nolan was running back and forth between our table and the stage.  Both Adam and I remember going to weddings when we were much, much younger and just wanting to run around and dance.  Nolan didn't really get to dance, because it got to be too late for him.  One of the highlights for me was dancing with him to our first mother/son dance.  It was so crazy to look at the groom with his mom and realize that in a blink of an eye they grow up!  I'm sure the next time I do that dance with him I won't be holding him! 

The hotel had a great age appropriate pool area, so we spent an hour or two every day swimming with the boys.  There was a small slide that went in to the bigger pool that was a huge hit with them.  Nolan went first and was a little hesitant, but warmed up after his first ride down.  Kale, on the other hand, got up to the top and slid right down without hardly stopping!  The good news was that the pool was only 3 1/2 feet deep, so Adam could stand at the end and catch them.  There was a kiddie pool area with a big mushroom thing that the boys liked, too.  Kale was a little unsteady on his feet at times, and when he would fall over face first he wouldn't be able to get up on his own.  It only had a foot of water, but it was just enough to be dangerous for him.  Needless to say we kept a close eye on him!  The boys got their energy both days by eating their way through the continental breakfast.  Nolan was a huge fan of the syrup for his waffles, so much so that he drank it straight from the little cup.  It was just like out of the movie Elf - does syrup have sugar?  Then yes!

Our good friends and their kids joined us for the weekend to watch Kale for us on Saturday for the wedding.  Of course he was perfect for them!  He ate well, swam hard and went to sleep pretty easily.  That was a very different experience than putting him to bed on Friday night.  He screamed his head off for me for about 20 minutes before Adam came in and got him down.  I swear that kid is trying to break me down bit by bit by not going to sleep good!  I guess I should be thankful he does for other people, so we can continue to ask for help with babysitting!

Adam has been gone all week at an out of state client.  Before he left we figured out how to use Skype so he can see the kids.  It seems to be working great and the kids love seeing him.  It's great to hear Nolan say "look at me, Dad", and for Adam to actually be able to watch him!  Kale has been giving me a run for my money again with his bedtime routine.  On Monday it took me 45 minutes, Tuesday it was an hour and half of screaming and flailing, and yesterday it was about 25 minutes.  He figured out how to scale the baby gate I was putting up in front of his door, so I've resorted to shutting his door to let him cry it out.  It didn't work well the first night because he threw around a whole bunch of stuff in his room - which meant I had to go in there with him.  When I finally did get him to sleep I had to crawl out of the room backwards on my hands and knees.  I'm sure I looked ridiculous!  Last night it worked better, as he only banged on the door and screamed for about 8 minutes before putting himself to sleep.  I hate to have to do that, but I'm at my wits end.  As I hold him and he screams I try and remind myself that he's not going to let me rock him forever, so I need to try and enjoy the moment - even if he's screaming at me!

Kale is picking up more and more things we say.  His latest is "oh oh spaghettio's", which he learned at daycare.  He and Nolan are becoming really great play partners, but Kale is also figuring which buttons to push on Nolan to irritate him.  Nolan is pretty patient with him, but when he isn't look out!  We also discovered that Kale LOVES chocolate milk.  We also discovered it gives him a pretty big energy rush!

I took the boys to the eye dr. today for Kale's 6 month check up.  Nolan was excited and did really, really well.  When I dropped him off at Jane's he told her "the dr. looked at my eyeballs today!"  I don't know what it is, but Nolan really truly likes going to the dr.  Kale even sat still, which was a miracle.  There aren't any concerns with either of them, so that means we just need to follow up with our regular visits.  Hopefully this will be the last we see of a specialist!

  

We were surprised on Monday to get a phone call from Paulette and Ryan to tell us our new niece was born early - only by 5 days!  Adalyn Mary is super cute, and I've already gotten to see her twice.  Nolan and Kale weren't all that interested.  I take that back, Kale was interested in me as soon as I started holding her!  We've welcomed 2 nieces and 1 nephew since the end of March.  Our familes are getting so big!