On the move!

Well, we've been waiting and waiting with anticipation for Nolan to crawl.   We were really looking forward to this next milestone. Yes, people said it would change things, no longer turning our backs, etc. etc. but who doesn't look forward to their child achieving their next goal?!?  It's exciting all the same! 

For the past month or so we've been "practicing."  We'd hold up his hips when he propped himself up on his arms and his legs would flail about ultimately ending in a face plant with his inability to understand the forward motion his arms would need to undertake.  Then he started to get that whole concept; slowly moving his hands forward after rocking back and forth momentarily, yet forgetting to follow through with the legs ending in a belly flop on the floor.  So we'd get behind him and hold onto those little chubby thighs, helping him coordinate the alternating left-right action his legs would engage in.  One, two, and flop.  Ah well...baby steps. 

Then, this past Sunday (SuperBowl Sunday I might add) we were at a friend's house watching the game and eating snacks.  Joe and I were both chit-chatting with friends at the gathering while Nolan played happily and quietly on the floor.  Next thing I know, I look over and realize that Nolan is making his way across the floor towards a plastic Hannaford shopping bag.  It took me a few seconds to realize what was going on, but then I said "Honey, our child is crawling!"   Luckily, someone said "Where's your camera??"  So I grabbed my camera just in time to catch a few shots.  Suddenly it wasn't the game everyone was watching - our baby was crawling!  We were so excited.   I was able to get it on video, but this time Nolan needed a little more motivation.  Hence the cheese and cracker plate you'll see.  And yes, he did get a cracker as his reward!  So time to officially babyproof the house!

Nolan's First Christmas

Every month that passes, I just can't believe how big my little guy is getting. 2 days after Christmas, he turned 8 months old! We are 3/4 of the way to his first birthday. Time is definitely flying! Watching him go through all of his first holidays has been fun. First Halloween, First Thanksgiving, but we were really looking forward to his First Christmas. We knew he wouldn't really "get" Christmas, but seeing the wonder in his eyes the first time he saw the tree light up or watching him open (aka stare while we opened) his first present was so fun and amazing. In fact, saying "Good night!" to the Christmas tree became a ritual. He would touch the needles on the tree and swat at the ornaments and laugh. Adorable. I wonder if he realizes it's gone now?

Nolan received many wonderful, generous gifts, but one of the faves is his red spatula from Grandma. :) This gift came about because we were Skypeing with my mom one day, and to keep Nolan busy while I prepared his breakfast I gave him a rubber spatula to play with. It was gigantic and he kept almost whacking me and himself in the head with it. The only other spatula we had that was smaller had a splintering wooden handle that inevitably would've lead to trouble. So my mom found this medium-sized rubber spatula perfect for chewing. It's the go-to toy when he's hanging out in his highchair. A reminder that it's usually the simple things that keep babies entertained. :)

Anyways, it was an amazing first Christmas surrounded by many of our loved ones. We had Christmas down in Rhode Island with my family and then enjoyed an overnight at Joe's parents when we got back in town. Here's some pics from our Christmases...

We look forward to sharing more of Nolan's "firsts." :)

About the Blog Name

One night when Joe and I were first dating, we were at Joe's old apartment in S. Portland listening to some of his CD's. If you know him, you know that he has a very eclectic taste in music ranging from Johnny Cash to the Beach Boys to The Grateful Dead to Green Day to...the Mamas and the Papas. I remember the song "Dream a Little Dream" coming on and Joe telling me that IF he ever got married (big emphasis on if???) this would be the wedding song. I secretly smiled to myself because, for the longest time, it had been one of my most favorite songs! I even painted a bowl at one of those "paint your own pottery" places with lyrics to this song on it. Not that I thought at that point that our "relationship" was headed in that direction. Ha ha!
Anyways, fast forward to 2006-2007 and wedding planning! Without any hesitation, we both knew what our wedding song would be. It was perfect...it wasn't something new on the radio that everyone was suddenly using for their first dance, it wasn't the same old, same old you hear at many weddings, and it brought back some wonderful old memories while leaving us wondering about what new memories we'd make together.
After a couple of years of marriage, we decided we were ready to start our family. While our very healthy and busy baby boy was growing inside me, we thought about all the things we'd do with him once he got here. I always imagined myself rocking him to sleep while singing. And I knew exactly which song I would sing. The same song his mother and father had danced to on the day they got married.
So when thinking of a title for a blog that I was going to use to keep people updated on the daily (okay monthly) happenings in our family, I decided to use "Dream a Little Dream" as a title and of course those lucky 7's! I really hope I can keep up with making sure this blog stays current! Thanks so much for reading!

Joining the Blogging World

So I've been inspired by some friends to start a blog. I have several friends who already have blogs. Some are food blogs, some are carefully crafted posts that tell witty stories, and most are just a nice way to keep family and friends updated on what's happening in their lives and families. I'm thinking this blog is one of the last variety: I'm not a big baker nor do I create many of my own recipes in the kitchen and I do not have time to put any clear, nevermind witty, thoughts together into a story. Really I'm just looking for a place to share stories and pictures about the tiny love of my life, Nolan. Yes, occasionally Joe or Buckley might be mentioned as well. :) I hope you all enjoy hearing about what new, special things Nolan may be up to, what trouble Buckley is getting into, or about the new addition Joe is adding onto the shed...or whatever he does down there. Thanks for visiting!