Thursday, April 5, 2012

Nolan's NOLA Bash- 1st Birthday Party


For Nolan's first birthday we had a "New Orleans" themed party, a NOLA bash. We were so lucky to have all 10 of the Yates cousins there and all of his grandparents and a tiny handful of friends.

I had so much fun planning it. We had authentic gumbo catered by Alligator Cafe, red beans and rice, pizza and kid food, Pat O Brien's hurricanes (The real deal!), mardi gras masks, custom Nola themed decor, and a brand new bounce house provided by Gigi and Dandy and Bebe and Papa.  We've already used it a ton! Don't rent the big ones, buy a small one to reuse if you can!

Nolan loved his party and loved his cake.  Unlike many other babies I actually had to take it away from him because he was planning to eat the entire thing and I was afraid he would get sick! Nolan Likes Cake. :)

Gigi and Dandy drove in for the party from Austin, Nolan was lucky to have them there!  And Aunt Alice helped SO much in the kitchen and his cousins helped me decorate beforehand. It was such a family affair.

The kids bounced and bounced and played so hard that at 10 PM Mallory laid down on the concrete patio and fell asleep.  Now that's a sign of a good party!





Lauren Haddox did an excellent job with our unique party theme! Adorable invites and decor!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/laurenloulolly









So sweaty from all that bouncing!












Pat O's mix and Rum makes a yummy Hurricane drink!








Peyton and Mom









I have the BEST custom kid shirt designer! Mardi gras wagon with beads!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/madecutejust4u



So delicious. 1st bday parties are the best!



Catering by Aunt Alice!
























Presenting Nolan 




Funny faces while we sang to him




Need a smash cake?  Ask for Central Market to make you one on their jumbo cupcake. Delish!










































How many Yates cousins can you put in a bounce house?










Happy Happy Birthday to my precious baby boy.  We had SO much fun celebrating you!  N'awlins Style.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Nolan Turned 1! A Year of sitting with Brobee







Our sweet baby Nolan turned one on March 28th.  I will have all of his stats this week after he has his check-up but for now, here is his FINAL Brobee picture.  Pretty amazing that a whole year has passed. If I think about it too much it makes me sad.  I am so glad I took the same picture of him each month.  It is so fun to see him grow.  And grow he did!!!

What do we know about Nolan after one-year of growing with him?  Well, we like to call him Nolie. It just stuck.  Big Brother calls him Nolan Price and Big Giant Baby.  Sister calls him Nolie and Nolan.  Nolan loves his momma but he also loves his daddy and runs to him.  He loves to be tickled on his fat legs and have bubbles blown on his belly.  He claps when he dances, waves, and does the sign for "milk". He loves to eat and eats more than the other kids.  He has a big boy appetite and eats big boy foods.  Nolie likes to join us in dance parties, would spend hours outside, pushes toys, plays with water, and jumps on the trampoline and in the bounce house.  He makes my heart smile when I see him in the morning and greets me so happily after his naps.  He loves to be held but is super heavy so he has learned to be quite the speedy walker.  He sleeps with his lovie, Lambert, and likes to suck on it when he naps.  He adores blackberries and everything tastes better coming out of Peyton or Mallory's sippy cup.  He makes me happy and fills my heart with joy.

Having a new baby when we also had a 16-month-old and a 4-year-old was never going to be "easy". But Nolan has made it so much easier by just being the sweetest, most chill, fun baby boy.  He has made it enjoyable!  There were moments of crazy and there are bound to be more, and there are lots of diapers, crying, and just pure chaos most minutes of the day, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Nolan has been the biggest blessing to all of us because he is pure love.

Now that we survived the year, i have to look back and see how we got here.  We have such special people in our life that take good care of my kids.  Of course Gigi and Dandy and Bebe and Papa and our families have done so much, but I have to also thank our Mimi (our neighbor) for loving my kids like they were family, and Ms. Martha.  We have also had great babysitters and wonderful friends in the neighborhood.  Our Preschool/MDO gives me just enough time in the week to try to keep our lives in order and my kids are so loved and cared for there. We received so many meals from various people when Nolan was born too.  We are blessed and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy First Birthday to my Big, Sweet, Loving, Adorable Baby Boy.  Here you are each month of your life, posing with Brobee.  It is in month order starting with being born:



Just Born, has yet to meet "Brobee"































































What a year it has been.  From 9 lbs 9 ounces to probably about 26 pounds and you just keep getting longer. You've grown for sure but our hearts have grown even more.  You are the perfect addition to our family Nolie Noo.  You are destined for wonderful things because I can already tell that you have a kind heart (and because you are so patient with our family)
We love you,
Your Mom, Dad, and Peyton and Mallory