What a big boy!

We just found out last night that our little rocker boy is larger than his 7-month old cousin Victoria. He's going to be a bruiser!!

Nolan's first Christmas

Nolan's first Christmas went very well. We had lots of fun, great food (well, Daddy and I had the great food), and tons of presents. Nolan especially loves his talking puppy and leap frog toys. He won't stop playing with them, much to Daddy's annoyance. :)

Update from the doctor!

Well, we just had our 2 month check up yesterday, and Nolan turns nine weeks old today. :) The doctor told us that our little guy is "off the charts" - literally - for his age. He is 25 inches long, which doesn't even register on the growth charts for a two month old boy (go figure, with such a tall daddy!). He weighs 14 lbs 3 oz, which puts him in the 95%. Such a big boy already!!

We also learned that our little guy needs to start pediatric physical therapy. He has a condition called torticolis, which means that the muscles on the right side of his neck are not developing quite quickly enough - a result from being a long, breach baby. The condition will improve with PT, though - nothing permanent. They are also going to work on his hips in PT to make sure that he doesn't have any dislocation problems. Then, a "babygram" (full body scan) at 4 months to make sure that everything is lining up properly. Keep your fingers crossed!

HO HO HO!

Our first family Christmas is just around the corner! Happy holidays to all of you - and our best wishes for the new year!

Isn't he just the most adorable baby ever? :)

Time is just flying!

Nolan turned 7 weeks old yesterday, and my maternity leave is officially over. I cry every time I think of going back to work, but I know its time, and I know that Nolan will be in great hands at home with Daddy. I just wish I could spend every minute with my baby, and am so afraid of all the things I might miss along the way. I never realized how hard this was going to be.

Baptism

Sweet little Nolan Shawn Thiel was baptized on Sunday, November 30, at St. Dominic Church in Sheboygan. All of his family was there to support him, including his grandparents, uncles, and even a few friends! He was the sweetest baby in the whole church, and didn't make a peep the entire service. :) Of course, we paid for that later in the evening...

Seriously

This is just too cute not to share!

Someday we'll sleep in our own bed again.

I'm not sure I even need to explain this. But, he's our pride and joy, and we'll sleep randomly and sporatically as long as we need to for our little sweetheart. He's just so beautiful!

Nolan slept through his first night...

Well, for 6 whole hours at least. And just once. :) But, it was HEAVEN!

Other than that, not much new. Nolan's getting bigger and changing so much every day. I think Shawn and I spend more time looking at him than anything else right now. :) He's just so cute!

And just to prove I'm not lying about the cuteness factor...

Nolan's first "official" doctor's visit

Nolan had his very first doctor's appointment yesterday, and all the news was fantastic. He's gaining weight in leaps and bounds - up to 8 lbs 7.5 oz already (he's gaining almost an ounce a day!), and is now 21.75 inches long. That puts him in the 90% for height, and the 45% for weight (Tall and skinny, just like daddy. Thank God he inherited that from Shawn and not me!!). We now have the go-ahead to start him on bottles so daddy can share in the feeding duties - he had his very first one for breakfast this morning, and LOVED it! :)

No word on when he is having his ultrasound for his hips yet. His next appointment is December 18th, so I'm assuming that the ultrasound will be scheduled sometime after that. Poor little guy... The doctor did seem to think that they are not dislocating, so that's good news at least.

We made it nine whole days...

...before having our first emergency room visit. Little Nolan doesn't like wearing his mittens so much - he's already figured out how to take them off! So, yesterday morning, he got his pinkie in his right eye and scratched his cornea. A couple days of antibiotic ointment in his eye and he'll be good as new! Wonder how many days we have before our next visit? Must be his daddy's boy. :)

What a crazy first week home!

Everyone in our happy household is adjusting very well to our new addition. Windsor especially just loves Nolan to pieces. Rocky - he just stays out of the way. :) Shawn and I, well, you know how happy we are!!!

Nolan had his first health assessment last Tuesday. He gained 1.9 oz in the two days since he had left the hospital, and is growing in leaps and bounds!! He is very healthy and is just changing so much every day. I can't wait to see what the next days and weeks bring!

World's Best Dad 2008

Can I just tell you how amazing it is to have a husband that is always the first to grab Nolan for a diaper change, who is the first out of bed in the middle of the night to check on him, and who refills my glass of water before I even realize its empty? I can't believe how great of a father Shawn is, and how natural and beautiful the relationship between father and son is when you take the time to stop and look closely.

Thank you Grandma Kellner!

I just wanted to put up a little post to thank my mom for everything she's done for us in preparing for Nolan and since he's arrived. From helping to set up the nursery in the beginning of my pregnancy to fixing meals and helping around the house this last week to the midnight phone calls of support and encouragement, she has just been my lifeline throughout this pregnancy and into motherhood. I can only hope to be a fraction of the mother to Nolan that she has been to my family.

Thank you, Mom. We love you more than words can say...

He's Here! He's Here! He's Here!

Nolan Shawn Thiel joined our family on Friday, October 17th, 2008, at 7:45 in the morning. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 5 oz, and was 21 inches long (though I swear he is growing by the minute!). I may be slightly biased, but he is the most perfect baby in the world.

I can't believe how much more I love him every day. My heart breaks every time I look at him, knowing that Shawn and I had such a miracle happen in our lives. He is absolutely beautiful, and he is changing every day. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings, and the day after, and next week...

Our families have been such a wonderful support for us. We are truly the luckiest family in the world, not only because of our precious gift from God, but because we are blessed with the most amazing and loving family and friends. Thank you all for everything you have done (and are doing every day) for us - we appreciate it more than we can say!

Oh - here's a picture of Nolan's "birth day" cake. We had a great celebration at the hospital on Friday!

I can't wait to count Nolan's toes!

So, today's my last day of work until December! Tomorrow is set aside for some last minute preparation for baby, and Friday is Delivery Day!

I saw the doctor again yesterday, and Nolan is healthy and still upside down (or right side up, technically), so we are set to go ahead with the c-section on Friday morning. I'll be in the hospital until Sunday night or Monday morning, and then home sweet home from there!

Last Minute Rush...

So, Shawn's brother Mike came over last night and finished up the electrical work in our house before Nolan arrives. Poor guy - works all day, then works for us all night too! Thanks for all the help, Mikey - we really appreciate it!! (Yup, that's Mike. He actually is a cowboy, when he's not an electrician...)

Also, had another visit with my doctor this week. She feels confident that Nolan won't be "flipping" at all, since he's rather large and kinda stuck in position in my belly. So, it sounds like the c-section is still on for next Friday. Eight days and counting!!

Happy Anniversary to Me!!!! :)

Today marks one whole year since our wedding. With the preparations for the baby, crazy things to do around the house, and financial stress included, we celebrated last night by having chicken nuggets and fries for supper and playing Yahtzee in our living room. Not exactly how I pictured our first anniversary, but I have to say, we had an absolute BLAST! Something to be said about enjoying each other's company... :)


I hope when we're old and gray (well, older and grayer) we can still have as much fun doing absolutely nothing exciting with each other. Last night really reminded me why I love Shawn so much, and how lucky I am to have him in my life. He is my everything, and even if he beats me 2 out of 3 in Yahtzee, I can still say I'm happiest when he is with me.

Mark your calendars!!!

Well, I had my latest doctor appointment yesterday, and they discovered that little Nolan is not only a large baby, but breach as well... I went in for a procedure this morning call a "breach version" (?) to try to get him into proper position, but after four rather painful tries, the doctor said that Nolan just doesn't have enough room to turn. He and I are both fine and healthy, but I am going to have to have a c-section now, since Nolan can't come out in the position that he is in.

So, that being said, little Nolan is scheduled to join our family on Friday, October 17th!! Shawn and I are both so excited, and can't wait to meet our little guy! Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well! :)

37 Weeks and Counting...

Well, I'm officially 37 weeks today... The doctor has informed us that Nolan is a bit larger than usual (go figure, with a daddy that's 6'7"!), and that she thinks he may be arriving a little early (fingers crossed!). With only three short weeks to go, we can't wait to meet our little sweetie!

Thank you all!

Several baby showers later, and we're all set for Nolan's arrival. A special thanks to the aunties and cousins who helped us with our baby supplies, and for all the wonderful wishes!!

Oh, and Melissa, the cake was AMAZING!!!

Baby Nolan's first official picture!

So, now that Nolan is almost here, I thought I'd start a blog to keep our family and friends "up to speed" on how everything is going for our soon-to-be family of three.

To start things off, I wanted to share our very first picture of sweet little Nolan... He's waving at you! :)

Nolan is due to join our family in three short weeks - hopefully sooner! We'll keep you posted!