Happy Pumpkin Day!

"Pumpkin"

We bought a fat orange pumpkin,

The plumpest sort they sell.

We neatly scooped the inside out

And only left the shell.

We carved a funny funny-face

Of silly shape and size,

A pointy nose,

A jagged mouth and two enormous eyes.

We set it in a window

And we put a candle in,

Then lit it up

For all to see Our jack-o-lantern grin.

Author Unknown

a brother's love

Parker, this picture was taken less than 24 hours before your little brother was born. Throughout this whole pregnancy, you loved to pat and kiss my tummy and tell the baby "hi." Your daddy and I knew that you would be an amazing big brother...we can't wait for the upcoming days to watch you and Cooper grow and play together!

This was your expression when you saw your little brother for the first time...awe and wonderment. I LOVE that this special moment was captured!

You love giving him lots of hugs and kisses and often tell us that, "Baby Cooper needs a hug and a kiss." Then you tell us, "I wuv Baby Cooper. Baby Cooper wuvs me too."

Yes, he does love you Parker...very much.

You are so good and gentle with him. We love that you want to show him all of your toys and share your things with him. What a big helper you are too! You like to help give him his Nunu and his lovie and always want to make sure he has everything that he "needs."

The other day you came up to my not-so-big-tummy-anymore and said as you patted my stomach, "There's no more baby in mama's tummy." It's amazing to us how well you understand this whole transition. From the first day you saw Cooper, you were calm and yet excited to finally have a sibling. Most of the time, you are very patient and willing to wait when I have to tend to Cooper's needs immediately, even if it means putting off what I was doing with you for a few minutes. You are incredible, Parker.

Help your brother grow, learn and play, Parker. Though he might not be big enough now for soccer, baseball, cars and trucks...the day will come when playtime will last for hours between the two of you. Be patient with him and love him. Continue to give him lots of sweet hugs and kisses. Your daddy and I hope that this innocent and pure love that you have for Cooper now will continue and last between the two of you for the rest of your days.

Your daddy and I are so proud of you, Parker. We love you.

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Life with two precious boys...

Life is fun with our two precious boys.
Life is also busier with our two precious boys.

I didn't expect it to be any different than busier though...which is why I worked like a mad dog on projects, cleaning and organizing galore before sweet Cooper arrived. :)
I have about 16 blog post ideas scribbled on a piece of paper that I can't wait to share, but they will just have to wait a little longer. I am having too much fun being a "new mom to an infant" again and being entertained by our "so big" toddler. Though it may seem funny to some, I have felt huge satisfaction and accomplishment just in the little things such as showering and getting dressed every day (even if some days it is 3:00 in the afternoon before that gets done), putting away much of my maternity clothes to make more room in hubby's and my joint closet, staying on top of daily mail and simple to do's, having the house look and feel clean (which I have really had practically nothing to do with...my mom and mom-in-love have totally stepped up to the plate for this one...so thankful that Nana is able to still be here to continue with the help for a little bit longer!) and having at least a few quiet and simple moments with each of my boys individually every day...even if it's just to read a book together or to sing a few songs.

I am absolutely and totally in love with my life right now and am so thankful that God has blessed us with this new addition to our growing family.

I'll be back soon with lots of fun posts...Cooper's birth story, big brother moments, recent scrapbooking projects, and of course...more of our everyday moments...

But for now, here are a couple more pictures of our precious two.

Cooper at one week old

taken at home on Monday, Oct 18, 2010

Parker at 2 years and 9 months at the neighborhood park

Right now I'm...

...enjoying every minute with these three.

...and a picture of our newest cutie

It's a Boy!!!

Cooper Bennett Nolen

October 11, 2010

1:39 p.m.

8lbs, 8oz

 20.5 in

(One of Cooper's very first pictures taken by his daddy on his iphone in the delivery room)

One day old 

(Photo taken by his mom on Oct 12, 2010 during tummy time)

"I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..."

Psalm 139:14

another colorful autumn day...at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Another colorful autumn day in Minnesota...On Friday, we headed out to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for one more outing before Baby Nolen arrives. I'm so glad we did; it was indeed relaxing and breathtaking. Groves of maple trees, cranapple trees, blue spruce and so many more...geese relaxing by the ponds, pumpkins and ghords adorning the frontal grounds...truly an amazing afternoon and experience. Parker enjoyed running through the "hedge maze" with his daddy and looking at the variety of wildlife that surrounded us.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1

A family of three...for now   :)

Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

almost time!

40 weeks

almost 41 weeks

To say that we are ready for Baby Nolen to arrive is an understatement. We have been keeping ourselves busy over here tackling more projects and to do's (although truly everything I wanted to have done is finished), going on relaxing Fall outings, chasing Parker, and talking the latest baby news (and repeating ourselves right and left with the same info from the day before! ha ha!).

I know that this precious baby will arrive when it is ready and when God (and partly the doctor if little babe doesn't come by Monday morning!!) decides exactly when that time is, but I have to say, this mama and daddy (and a pack of other family members and friends) can't wait to hold this little one in our arms yesterday!!!

I am so very thankful for the healthy and easy pregnancy that I've had once again. I am one of those who really does enjoy being pregnant and am grateful that the Lord has blessed our family once again with another sweet life. Now, let's bring on the birthing part...I can't wait to have another bundle in the household to love and care for! :)

a bright & colorful autumn afternoon at Cleary Lake Park

One of my favorite things about Minnesota is Autumn (however short-lived they may be each year!) The vibrant colors of the fall leaves, the crisp, fresh air throughout the days, the sights of pumpkin patches and/or apple orchards every 10 miles (at least in the area we live) make the season such fun.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year, but with each passing year my love for it seems to grow and grow. The decorating of the home with pumpkins of all shapes, colors and sizes, bright & full mums on the doorstep, and the sprinkling of the harvest colors throughout the home makes the season even more festive. Downstairs in our basement sits a nice size collection of some of my favorite fall scented candles that I look forward to bringing out each year around this time. And of course the smells of homemade baked breads and goods this time of year puts a smile on my face without fail.

With all this fall fun around the home, comes exciting adventures outside as well. Throwing on our jackets to run over to the park or play in the leaves outside makes for great entertainment. Also, I love visiting parks and other scenic areas as the leaves are changing; Fall just doesn't seem the same without these little excursions. This past Saturday, our family ventured out to Cleary Lake Park to view some of the beautiful trees before nature comes and takes them away for winter.

Parker climbed up into his first tree (with daddy's help of course), played on the playground and enjoyed rolling down a nice size green hill over and over and over. :) We went on a little walk and even managed to snag a few pictures of the afternoon. Though it was for only an hour or so, that little colorful outing will be one of my favorite Autumn memories this year.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus

...these are the everyday moments that I cherish...

...Looks like we'll be patiently waiting a little longer for Baby Nolen to arrive. It still seems to be quite content hanging out in mama's tummy. :) Induction is scheduled for next Monday morning. In the meantime, we'll be enjoying a few more Fall adventures and embracing these last few days of "just the three of us".

40 weeks

Today marks 40 weeks for Baby...I never would have imagined we'd still be waiting the arrival of our new addition at this point...not after thinking I would be induced at 39 weeks for the longest time. I am so thankful that baby and I are both doing well and can't wait to hear what my doctor has to say tomorrow!!!

This morning I woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep. I was thinking of everything from wanting to get up and dust my downstairs den to how yummy eating a few gooey cinnamon rolls would be. (...still craving one of those by the way.) Clay, Parker, Nana & I went to church this morning; it was a typical Sunday morning for us. Nice to still have a little routine in our days every so often.

My "to do" lists are done (therefore, I am making new ones) and we are just anxiously, but patiently awaiting arrival of Baby Nolen. I keep thinking about how excited Parker is and what a good big brother he's going to be. I know with happy times there will be tantrums, melt-downs, jealous states and a lack of understanding...he is only 2 after all. However, the excitement and cuteness of seeing him as a big brother will totally outweigh all of that. He has asked many times this week if mama has bought enough diapers and nunu's for the baby. (he thinks it will need more, so every time we go to the store he insists that we add those items to the buggy! ha ha!) Today, he wanted to wrap the baby's gifts that he will bring to the hospital when he comes to visit. He was so proud of his wadded tissue contribution to the sweet gift bags. :)

Sweet Baby Nolen, we are so excited to meet you very soon! I love you so very much and can't wait to hold you in my arms for the first time!!!

Blue or pink, we soon shall see!!! :)