Pre-School? Already?

Today was sweet Olson's first day of "pre-school". That's what they call it, but it is three days a week from 9-1, so not exactly full time school. In anticipation of this new, structured environment with other children, we have been attending music class at Gymboree since July, and we've been talking about this day for weeks. However, it finally dawned on me this weekend that the poor little guy was going to be way more distressed about the fact Gaga was coming to our house to stay with Liddy Costen, and that he would be leaving with me instead of going with her. "What? That never happens. I always go with Gaga. She's my buddy." I knew these thoughts would be flying through his little 22 month old mind. And boy, was I right.

Part 1: Pictures with proud Dad, while Gaga was inside the house. We haven't even started to move towards the car yet.

Say Cheese!

I'm going where??

Part 2: Gaga is sitting on the stoop to his left. Notice how calm he is. He loves his Gaga and never wants her too far away!

Is this my lunch? Cool.

Ok, Woofie and I are ready to go!

We made it to school, he made it through his day, and only cried off and on the whole time. And he never let go of Woofie. We'll see how Friday goes...

xoxo the nelms

Big day!

The 29th was a big day for the Nelms! Olson had pre-school orientation, mommy's new furniture was delivered, Olson turned 22 months, Liddy Costen turned 2 months, and the yard waste truck broke down in front of our house! Can you guess which one Olson was most excited about?

First, let's show off Liddy Costen's 2 month photo shoot!

I now weigh 10 lbs 14 oz

And I'm 22 inches long! 

I'm starting to sleep in my crib more

I love to look out the window...and be outside!

Dr. Stewart says I'm very strong 

Mommy says I have the sweetest smile and laugh

Highlight of the day...broken down truck. While the lawn waste guys were peeved their truck broke down, Olson thought it was his lucky day! 

We started by watching from inside

But we soon had to go outside to check it all out!

THREE big trucks in our cul-de-sac...2 trash trucks and the tow truck!

Watching the tow truck lift the big trash truck

This is so neat!

Just another day in the life of the Nelms family!

xoxo the nelms

A lunch date with Dad

One day last week, Olson, Liddy Costen and I packed up and met Dad for lunch at North Hills. We had yummy Chick-fil-a, then looked at the cow art exhibit and played. It was a fun outing for us all! 

Olson telling us what a cow says

Checking out the heart cow

Liddy Costen spent much of the outing like this

But woke up just in time to spend some time with Dad!

Olson loves running around in the "grass" area

And a few other shots of interest...

Liddy Costen snuggled in Grandma Cat's arms

I love pb&j

Tummy time!

See ya, mom. I've got my case full of Matchbox cars and I'm ready to go for a ride in Gaga's red car! 

xoxo the nelms

From the archives....Hiking, NC style

{I stumbled upon this post from last summer that somehow was never published, so thought I'd just post it now, because it's fun to see how much he has changed since this time last year!}

After the success of our hiking in Wyoming, we decided to try our luck at Umstead State Park in Raleigh! And, yes, Olson still likes his backpack. While the scenery (and weather) wasn't quite what it was in GTNP, we had a great time and loved being outside. Dad carried him the whole time, so wasn't too thrilled when we missed our turn and extended our hike by about 45 minutes! Our little nugget isn't quite so little anymore! 

Here we go!

I love hiking!

Love my boys!

Hiking is so relaxing

Fun family time!

xoxo the nelms

A Swimming Lesson

I'm kind of crazy about kids knowing how to swim. You just never know when they might be around water, whether it's a pool, lake, creek, ocean, whatever. They should know how to be safe in the water. So since Olson is happy in the pool at this point, I thought it would be a good time to take a swim lesson. 

I was wrong. Very wrong.

This was before the lesson even started....

He didn't want to give up his snack trap

Crying with the instructor. He even cried when I was in the pool with them.

Happy to be finished with the "lesson", and gazing longingly at the baby pool...his comfort zone.

Needless to say we did not sign up for anymore lessons this year. I'm sure he'll be much more cooperative next summer, right? 

xoxo the nelms

Some firsts!

Poor Liddy Costen. Olson had such a well documented life when he was her age, but it seems with the second child there is a lot more to do than to sit around and take pictures of your sweet baby doing various things for the first time. For example, making sure the dog doesn't get clobbered with the plastic golf club, again. Or trying to pry the dog food out of your son's mouth and clenched fists. Or perhaps protecting your new baby from the various cars and trucks her adoring older brother flings her way. Oh well. Here are a few things we've actually captured of our sweet girl, although they may not be her first.

This IS actually the first time in her swing...

So far, so good...

...but not for long!

She has since grown to love her swing, thank goodness!

 Here is one of her first baths! She loves a bath!

This feels nice!

Ok, are we almost finished?

We do get some play mat time in...

Will someone please pick me up?

And someone else thinks he needs play mat time, too...

What? It was mine first!

xoxo the nelms

One month! (a little late...)

Yes, we will be doing the "month" pictures with Liddy Costen! Sorry for the delay. Of course her baby acne flared up just in time for the photo shoot. I told her the same thing happens for school pictures. 

Happy 1 month!

Look how long I am!

Cuddling with my bunny

xoxo the nelms