Thanksgiving in Las Vegas

Well we just had another amazing Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with lots of family! There was a lot of eating, hot chocolate, football, movies, games, playing, hot tubbing, and just overall lounging. Now that's my idea of a vacation!

This year my parents hosted us, Preston and his family, BJ and Kirsten, Paul, Granky, and Mark and his family (Mandy and kids: Bruce, Rachel, Madelyn, Will, and Anne). It's so nice of my parents to provide all the food and a place to stay, not to mention all the toys my mom has been collecting. The kids had a blast playing and it was kind of nice to have them more or less contained while the adults sat around talking or recovering from eating too much ☺ We had 8 kids, 5 under 3 years old so it felt like we were in Crazy Town, but we loved every second of it!! 

Here are some pics of what the weekend mostly looked like, kids and toys everywhere, and everyone holding someone else's child. Seriously, it was so funny, more than once I walked into the family room to see Mandy holding Nolan, Justin with Rhett, and Preston had Anne - or any other number of combinations. It was also kind of funny that Preston, Mark, and Justin have similar height and build and often wore jeans and a tshirt. The kids sometimes got confused and called the wrong person "Dad."

We're so blessed to have such an amazing family that loves each other and gets along so well. In fact, it's crazy to think about it, but this weekend was actually the first time Devin even met Mark and Mandy, but they got along like old friends! ♥ this family of mine!

Love these little blonde toddler boys! Nolan, Will, Beck, and Rhett

Nolan grubbing some banana off of Gp Mathews. One morning my dad sat here with a bowl of cereal and Nolan came up to get some. After several bites Nolan decided he was done and then Rhett came up for some too haha!!

Spinning!

Bruce and Beckett were so cute playing together!

Justin holding Rhett, and Nolan

Preston chatting with Granky about future plans

Justin holding sweet baby Anne. She is seriously a really chill baby! Dare I say better than Nolan was? (nah, maybe just the same ☺) Justin thinks he probably shouldn't have a little girl because she'd have him wrapped around her little finger!

Beck and Will

Hot tubbing! One of the main reasons the Mark Mathews family likes to come to our house (along with Aunt Dana's hot chocolate bar and amazing Thanksgiving feast!)

Cute cousins!

Nolan and Rhett. Check out Nolan's bed head. It was seriously laying down when he went to bed the night before.

This video was for Jeanni ☺

Watching football with Gp Mathews

I think Nolan liked playing on the stairs

Snuggling with Gm Mathews

I also want to point out here how awesome Mallory was. She has so much patience and was always willing to watch the kids in the other room for long periods of time, for which we were all super grateful! :)

Mark with Will and Madelyn, and Justin playing with Beck

Anne liked this little bouncer, and Nolan and Rhett liked playing with the toys while she was in the bouncer!

Preston and Devin with Granky

Nolan saying something important to Gp Mathews

Surfer Beck

Pirates Dice! Bruce especially loved this pirates dice game and was always coordinating games with anyone willing to play.

Since the toys were usually dumped out of these buckets anyway, Preston found an alternate use for them and the kids loved it!!

I'm dying over this video!

 Nolan sure loves cell phones and everyone knows if you have one out anywhere near him he'll find it, but he still can't do much with the phones when he gets them besides turn them on and off. Will on the other hand, if you leave your phone laying around you might find some selfies on it ☺

Will and Beckett playing at the park

Beck and Madelyn

On Saturday we headed up to Red Rock, apparently everyone else had the same idea because the line to get into the park was super long! We just took a different road and it worked out great! We got to climb all over the red rocks and take some pictures and, bonus, didn't even have to pay to get in like the original plan! The best kind of fun is free fun!

What a handsome little guy!

I love this cute family!

Paul and Will

Preston and Devin Mathews family

Mark and Mandy Mathews family

 Nolan loved climbing on the rocks with daddy, and Madeline had a blast break rocks!

 Can you find Preston and Rhett?

Mark, Madelyn, and Bruce climbing up the rocks like pros

 Mark teaching Bruce the art of bouldering

We got back in time for the BYU vs Utah State football game and celebrated our win with Mandy's delicious rasberry rolls! Mmmmm!

We decided to take advantage of Aunt Devin's haircutting skills, especially since Granky mentioned that Nolan's hair was looking a little 'scraggly' haha. 

 

Justin's job was to distract him haha.

We actually also got to see Justin's parents and Gm and Gp Hickman while we were there! His Gm and Gp Hickman usually travel from Spokane to Yuma, AZ for the winter and stopped in LV. Doug and Pam drove down to spend Thanksgiving with them so of course we took the opportunity to see them all! It was so fun introducing Nolan to some more of his great grandparents. Family is the best!

Of course we couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Granky!

Granky with some of his great grandkids

L-R (front): Nolan Bailey, Rhett Mathews, Will Mathews, Granky, Madelyn Mathews, Beckett Mathews

L-R (back): Anne, Rachel, and Bruce Mathews

Happy Birthday, Nolan!

Thursday night I hugged Nolan extra tight before putting him in his crib, knowing that when I picked him up again in the morning he wouldn't be a baby anymore!

I truly cannot believe it's been a year since he was born.

It really does seem like yesterday that Justin and I were sitting on our couch, wondering aloud what our baby would look like, what we would name him, and what kind of personality he would have. Then, after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, he finally came, 3 days after his due date, on November 20, 2014.

I have been thinking a lot about that day, and replaying the moments I don't think I'll ever forget. The moment I felt my water break just after we had finally gotten into bed at midnight. Me going to the bathroom and coming out to all the lights on and Justin scurrying about packing last minute things into our bag and getting the number for the doctor. The quiet drive to the hospital (nothing like it is in the movies) where we just talked - about the future, our excitement, and how our lives were about to change. We couldn't believe we were finally about to meet our son. Then there was the very comfortable labor where we just rested and tried to get some sleep (thank you epidural!). Then came the pushing. Three and a half hours of pushing! And the doctor excitedly exclaiming "he's got a mohawk!" as he made his entrance into the world.

They put him on my chest and I instantly felt that all encompassing, didn't-even-know-you-had-it-in-you love that so many people tried to describe to me, but that I didn't quite understand until it actually happened to me. He was the most perfect thing I had ever seen and I couldn't believe he was mine. He's my son. I am his mom. It's incredible the love we both felt for this little human we had just met only seconds before.

He started nursing and I remember marveling at how natural it was, how he really just knew what to do (ya, that didn't last). They took him away to clean him up a bit and weigh and measure him while the doctor worked to stitch me up. I was so happy, even if a bit jealous, that Justin got to spend that first 45 minutes with him. I think Justin melted into a puddle on the floor when one of the first things Nolan did was reach up and grab his finger. The tender moment turned hilarious when about 5 seconds after being laid down Nolan peed straight up in the air. It was definitely a "that's my boy!" moment ☺. As for me, I don't remember ever being so tired and exhausted in my whole life. When they finally finished stitching me up they gave him to me but I was so weak that I couldn't even hold him. It broke my heart to have to ask them to take him back because I literally couldn't hold his weight. I remember crying because I felt like the worst mom in the whole world.

The weakness soon passed though and I felt overwhelming happiness and pride when I held him again. I'll never forget my mom walking into the room after we got settled. She took one look at Nolan and said, "he's the most perfect thing you've ever done." Truth.

We finally decided to name him Nolan Douglas Bailey. We actually settled on Nolan fairly quickly, but the middle name was a bit of a struggle. Justin wanted Douglas for his dad, and I wanted Michael for my dad. I always joke that Justin had to do some serious negotiating to get the Douglas in there (cooking once a week for a year, back rubs, that I could have my pick for the next son, etc.). But truthfully, I think Nolan Douglas fits him perfectly and I love it.



 

      
This picture is seriously my favorite! It was taken just as we were leaving the hospital. It's a little hard to tell because the outfit was a little big, but it's a BYU onesie that says "There's no crying in football" with a stretch Y. Appropriate attire since it was game day and we literally made it home just in time for the game ☺

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This year has been all at once the longest and shortest year of our lives. I think we finally understand just how much our parents love us and have done for us. We have been exhausted, frustrated, anxious, and realized how much (or how little) patience we really have.  But at the same time we've never been happier. Nolan brings so much love and joy into our home. There's more fun, more laughter, more smiles, and more silliness. We're enjoying parenthood and love observing each other in our new roles. Justin especially has shown time and again that he is a patient, forgiving, compassionate, thoughtful man, and a good husband and father. 

And even though I'm far from perfect, and sometimes feel like I'm just meddling with this perfect little spirit that Heavenly Father has sent to us - I love being a mom. I love the joy that a child brings into a home. I love seeing the world through new eyes. I love being the recipient of a child's unconditional love. It's a wonderful feeling to be needed, and to know that your arms are the safest place in the world to this little person. I know this stage won't last forever, and I'm sure each new stage brings it's own energy and excitement. But I sure wouldn't mind if time slowed down just a little bit.

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It has been so fun to watch his personality develop. His likes, dislikes, and interests are changing all the time, but a few things have never changed: He has always loved being outside and has an infectious laugh. He never wants to miss out on the party, and will stay up as long as he needs to. Whether it's going to our softball games or movie night with my friends, he is a perfect angel well past his bedtime, then crashes as soon as the party is over. He always has his feet on something or someone. He's always been the best snuggler and will often just sit with you or lay next to you and fall asleep. He has always loved phones and bath time, is a total adrenaline junkie, and he is an amazing car traveler. Has the cutest eyes and smile, and the best hair! His cuteness always elicits comments and smiles and whispers wherever we go.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't know what lottery in heaven we won that Nolan was sent to our family, because we certainly don't deserve him, but we'll take him! He is such a good, sweet tempered, patient, happy boy.

He is the light of our life and has brought so much joy to our household.

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At his 12 month doctor's appointment Nolan weighed in at just over 21 lbs and is 29+ inches tall. He has 4 teeth that we know of (two on top, two on bottom), he doesn't usually let us look in his mouth #closedforbusiness. And he loves to brush those teeth! He is still obsessed with phones, remotes, computers, keys, and daddy's alarm clock. Swinging upside down by his feet, being thrown into the air, or twirling with daddy always make him smile and laugh. He doesn't really have an interest in walking, even though I'm sure he could if he wanted to. He likes to throw his food more than eat it lately, but is finally holding his own cup. It's pretty funny how he picks up his sippy or bottle full of milk, puts it in his mouth, and swings his head back like he's throwing one back, then slams it down like he just finished a pint. He's a fast crawler and loves being chased. You can hear his cute little feet and hands pounding the ground from another room. His current favorite things to do include pulling his socks off, throwing everything he can find in the bathroom into the tub, and shaking his head 'no.' He's very persistent and will use any tactic to get what he wants.

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Jeanni made sure Nolan's big day started off right with a chalk "Happy Birthday" written on the steps and a sign on the front door. 

A trip to the park to play

Coloring! Ahh, he looks so big in this picture, like he knows what he's doing!

 A tuckered out birthday boy

We are just so grateful for Jeanni and how much she loves Nolan and takes such good care of him. I have to say, I think Nolan has the whole Hobbs family wrapped around his little finger!! Jeanni's boys are his favorite pals and her husband, Dan, is always sad if Nolan leaves for the weekend before he gets to say goodbye. It's pretty cute.

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First up, opening gifts! We got him a new toy, a book, some slippers, and pajamas. And he loved the wooden puzzle cars from Gm and Gp Mathews and Aunt Mallory.

This cute piggy bank came from Gm and Gp Bailey! Justin might be more excited about it than Nolan at this point, but it's super cute. And Aunt Brianna sent a cute 'Keep Calm' onesie.

And the best part about a 1 year old's birthday? Eating (i.e. smashing) a cake!
Nolan was pretty funny with it. When we first set the cake in front of him he just kind of dipped one finger into the frosting and ate it, then all of the sudden he took one hand and dug it into the cake haha. After smushing it with one hand he remembered he has a second hand and the cake was toast. I think he had a good time with it haha!

I think he liked his new toy from mom and dad. It was so cute how he would press the button, then look proudly at his daddy like, "look what I did!"

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After cake and presents we went out to one of our favorite restaurants, Spaghetti Factory! Nolan loves spaghetti so we figured he would approve of the choice :)

 ...of course he loved the mizithra cheese and meat sauce pasta. We knew he would, he's a Bailey!

He loved getting his own little ice cream with a candle in it! And he was even sung to!

To top it off he even got a balloon animal made for him!

The boys being silly 

 On the way out we stopped at the model of old Trolley Square. Nolan loved watching the little trains go in and out!

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My seriously amazing friends came over for our usual movie night and brought Nolan a birthday present! They are too sweet!

How cute is this? They got him his own little pair of 'lounge pants'! We always talk about how important it is to have good, comfortable lounge pants for movie night and they figured Nolan needed in on that action too :)

I'm dying, so cute! Thanks Sara and Lis!

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Happy happy birthday to the sweetest, happiest little boy in the whole world! We love you Nolan!!