This year we are having Thanksgiving with the Bailey's, but since we're set to have a baby any day now they're coming here to Utah. Gee, does this sound familiar? Haha, this is practically the exact same scenario as 2 years ago when Nolan was born except he was born before Turkey Day and BB2 will be born after. Anyway, we're grateful that the Bailey's don't seem to mind coming to us ☺
We to Red Robin and The Old Spaghetti Factory (of course!)
Nolan coloring with Gp.
Kissing daddy ♥
We got some snow and took Nolan to the park to play in it! He had fun chasing daddy, but the snow was a little too cold for him to touch haha.
The Holladay City Cemetery (that's just down the road from our apartment) lit up one of their trees with over 150,000 lights! It's absolutely breathtaking. We feel lucky that we literally see this every night as we drive home.
We went bowling!
Nolan had a blast pushing the ball and watching go down and hit the pins.
He was a little tired and cranky though and might have had to be taken out by mommy once or twice ☺
He talked Gp into playing Elmo On the Go Letters with him ♥
Feeding the ducks at Sugarhouse Park...
...which, with Justin involved, then turned into chasing the ducks
Cold Stone. Yumm!
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For Thanksgiving dinner we went to Tucanos, but only after verifying that they did in fact serve stuffing because I just can't have a Thanksgiving with no stuffing. I'm having nightmares of that one Thanksgiving I spent in San Diego at a soccer tournament with my friends, the Noa's, extended family where they served...wait for it...fish! I about died haha.
Thanks so much for a nice dinner Doug and Pam!
After dinner we went to Best Buy because Justin wanted to check for deals on a new Roku. Nolan enjoyed the Roku displays as well.
He also spotted a tablet and carried it around with him almost the whole time we were in the store ☺
Story time! Brianna read the book she got for him, but then he asked for Grandpa ☺
Our Thankful Turkey
I finally got to try Taqueria27 in Holladay!
I got the P.B.L.T.A. but with carnitas instead of pork belly and it was SO SO good! Like, I want one right now! In fact, I documented this here so I don't forget it haha.
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Justin's good friend Cameron and his wife, Steph, invited us all over for dinner on Sunday night. While I wasn't sure I wanted to go out the night before having a baby (I felt like I should be resting or packing or mentally preparing, or...something), it was kind of nice to get my mind off of things and not have to cook! They were amazing hosts and we had a great meal and wonderful conversation.
Nolan had fun playing cars with Brianna's friend Oliver
Everyone knows they can get Nolan's attention with a phone!
He also spotted this HUGE bear in their guest room
What a cutie. I can't believe he's going to be a big brother tomorrow! I hope he's ready ♥
Well, I don't know how it happened, or where the time has gone, but Nolan turned 2!!
He has a huge vocabulary for his age and often puts together full sentences. He constantly amazes us with his comprehension and ability to pick up new phrases and ideas. Justin and I are still working on being aware of what we're saying because our little sponge will no doubt hear and repeat everything! The other day I was driving with him in the back...there was a slow car in front of us and he said, "Hurry up car!!" (I'm glad it wasn't worse haha). Speaking of the car, we turned his car seat around and I think he's really loving it.
Although he still requests it quite often, he's starting to phase out The West Wing theme song and is now obsessed with the YouTube video What Does The Fox Say? That's Justin's handy work ☺, but hey, at least he's learning some animal sounds!
He's definitely 2 years old (read: tantrums) and has started dramatically flopping on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants, but to his credit it really doesn't happen that often and he doesn't usually take too long to get over it. Plus, for a 2 year old, he's surprisingly able to be reasoned with. For the most part, he's a super happy, good, and compliant boy. He goes to bed without a problem, is a dream in the car (we can seriously have a deep conversation while driving with him because he's so quiet), and, my favorite, he usually very enthusiastically responds to questions or demands with a "Yes!" or "Of course!"
He knows how to use all of the remotes embarrassingly well, but also loves to go outside. Whenever we go anywhere he requests "I come wit you." He loves cars, magnets, books, and playdoh. And recently (finally) learned how to hold a baseball bat correctly ☺ About 90% of the time he does things left handed such as throwing, eating, and coloring, but just when we think, ya he really seems to be a lefty, he'll do something right handed and throw us off.
At his 2 year doctor appointment he was 34.33 in tall (49th percentile) and 25 lbs 6.5 oz (19th percentile). He has pretty much consistently fit into the size of clothes that correspond with his age (currently size 2T) and wears a size 7 shoe.
Nolan, we love you so very much. You are such a sweet and good boy and so stinkin' cute! We just can't imagine our life without you. In just over a week your baby brother will join us and we can't wait to see how you grow in your new role as a big brother. With your sweet and happy disposition, easy going nature, intelligence, and inclination to follow the rules (for the most part ☺), I know you will be such a great example to your younger siblings. We couldn't have asked for a better 'leader of the pack.'
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Family pics at the church on Nolan's birthday
I had some fun making Sesame Street treats for the big day
Elmo cupcakes, Sesame Street sign cake, and Cookie Monster bark (Justin helped me with that one).
We didn't plan to have people over for his birthday, I mean, he's 2. But we had all those treats to eat, so we invited Nolan's besties (Sara, Lis, and Jeanni) over to help us! (Dan, Austin, and Dakota planned on coming but couldn't at the last minute).
I can't believe he totally knew what to do! He knew to wait until the end of the song and then blow out the candles haha! I also love his cute face when we were singing to him. He loved it!
Opening presents! From mom and dad he got a transformer, Elmo on the Go Letters, a baseball tee, a Darth Vader pez dispenser.
I think it's safe to say Nolan's favorite part of the presents (besides the Elmo Letters) was opening them. He loved ripping the paper and with each tear said, "Rrrrrrrrip. Rrrrrrrip!"
I think we have an academic! Not as interested in the baseball tee as he was with his Elmo Letters haha.
Sara and Lis even brought Nolan a gift (too sweet!) and got him a cute sweater and animal magnets.
Without question Nolan's favorite gift was the Elmo On the Go Letters (as we knew it would be). He has been watching a YouTube video for months of a kid playing with this set and every time we saw it at the toy store he got so excited. It took everything in us not to just buy it and hold off until his birthday. The wait paid off. He was SO excited!!
Doing letters with Jeanni
Playing with his new magnets from Sara and Lis
He basically played with his Elmo letters the rest of the night and even wanted to take it to bed with him haha. This is seriously how he fell asleep!
Opening a package from Gm and Gp Mathews
Elmo pajamas! (as well as Cookie Monster pjs and some magnetic blocks). Thanks Gm and Gp Mathews!
And he got this cute personalized book from Gm and Gp Bailey!
Lastly, here are some FB tributes ☺
"Today marks my precious nephew Nolan's second birthday today and I actually can't believe it. This picture is from the night that I left Utah before I moved to New York and saying goodbye to him broke my heart. He has brought so much joy into my life and is such a special little human. It has been so fun to watch him continue to grow and develop. I can't wait to watch him in his newest role of being a big brother, which will be happening soon. My heart is larger because of him and I can't wait to see him in 4 short days. Being his aunt is my favorite thing I've ever been. Love you Nolan and so grateful for Justin Bailey & Meghan Bailey to being such wonderful parents to him." - Aunt Banana
"Happy 2nd Birthday to our first grandchild. Nolan is a joy and light to everyone who knows him. He is truly a special young man with a big personality and a loving spirit. We are excited to see him become a big brother and see him for Thanksgiving!" - Gp Bailey
"Happy Birthday Nolan Bailey! You have brought such joy into our lives in the last two years! We love you and can hardly wait to see you and celebrate with you and meet your new little brother and enjoy the miracle of it all. Thank you Justin Bailey, Meghan Bailey for promoting us to Grandparent status. You are a blessing in our lives. Doug BaileyBrianna Bailey We can hardly wait to get together and celebrate!" - Gm Bailey
